Day 40: Whose Way?

Reading: Proverbs 4:10-19

We live in a broken and dark world. Yet we are told to be in the world, but not of it. This means that we are to follow God's procedure in how things are done, not follow the world's. We are told in Proverbs to strive for God's wisdom and way. When we do this, He will make our paths straight and we can live a life that strives for Him. We don't have to be so full of knowledge of God, but we do need to live daily striving for His will and way. It doesn't matter how much we know, but the direction we're going in is what we need to keep in check. What are your motives everyday you get up?

How are you striving to follow God's path and ways instead of the world's?



What are your goals each day you wake up?




Reading: Matthew 26:31-46

We read about the great distress Jesus went through before being betrayed and crucified. He even prayed for His Father to provide another way, yet He was willing to do His will no matter what. Jesus knew His friend would deny Him. I can't imagine the loneliness that Jesus felt as He knew His time was coming. He had all the power to stop what was coming, yet endured it to save us all. It's nice to know that Jesus felt all the things we feel at times, yet to a bigger scale. No matter how hard it was, Jesus still followed through with His Father's will and no matter how hard life gets for us, we need to remember to say "Your will, Lord, not mine."

What hardships are you facing currently?




How are you asking for God's will through it instead of yours?




Reading: Exodus 4:1-6:12

We can't depend on our own will and way. We see how terrified Moses is to follow God's plan for him, yet God keeps reassuring him that He will be with him through it. Moses feeds excuse after excuse to God, claiming that he can't speak well, and that God has the wrong person, and that if he doesn't do it, someone else will. Sound familiar? I know I've thrown some excuses to God in times of fear.
God will provide us with the strength and words we need when we need them. We might fear for the future and the plans God has for us, but we can trust that He will provide us with what we need.

What abilities do you feel like you lack when it comes to obeying God's direction for you?



What excuses have you given God before? How did it turn out?




Many times in this world, we are encouraged to be empowered by our own strength and will. While this is a positive thing and helps us to feel good, it takes God out of the equation. We will face hard stuff in this life and wonder what to do. While going it alone may make us feel good, it can also land us on our faces. But going with God's way and plan for us can give us better direction and straighter paths in life. Outweigh which way you'll take in life - God's way or the world's way.