You gotta love Dr. Seuss. Simple, yet profound. Short, but timeless.
Well-read, deep thinker that I am, my mind ran to Dr. Seuss yesterday. The mental trigger was our upcoming church planting conference. For five days, beginning tomorrow, we get to play host to church planting partners from Africa, India, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Haiti, Colombia, and the United States.
These partnerships have resulted in churches started, orphans cared for, micro-businesses launched, and the gospel going forth in powerful ways. At the same time, they have enabled many of our church family--including me--to travel to places we never dreamed about. Oh the places you'll go!
Such is the life of those who walk with God:
- God establishes our steps (Psalm 37:21-24).
- God directs our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- God gives us the red light and the green light (Acts 16:6-10).
- God is ultimately in control (Proverbs 20:24).
When I understand that God directs my steps, I can better appreciate the good doctor Seuss.
"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what
you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."
I'm not out to bash the man who brought us Horton Hears a Who, and Green Eggs and Ham; yes, I do make choices, but ultimately I AM NOT the guy who decides where I go. God does! That's a good thing. Had God not nudged me toward Spanish River a few years back, I would be somewhere else this weekend. Instead I'll be rubbing shoulders with some of my "extended family," tasting food from all over the world, and celebrating the amazing work of God.
Oh the places you'll go with God in control!