“It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in God.”
(Proverbs 16:20, MSG)
“Taking life seriously doesn’t mean it depends on you. You are strongest when you are weak. The outcome is up to Christ.
A serious life may include working hard, being concerned about the future, and maintaining a savings account, but only because your life is balanced, centered on God’s will.
Live deliberately. Live consistently. Listen for God’s instructions before you act.
When you live as God directs, both vertically and horizontally, things will work out for you. You can count on it.
Prayer: Eternal wise God, I trust everything will work out when I live according to Your plan as revealed in Your Word.
(taken from Daily Wisdom for Women, 2018 Devotional Collection, November 8)
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Spiritual Sundays and Scripture & a Snapshot and Selah .
I want to slow down and be more like this description of a life lived “by the instructions.” God has certainly given us plenty of wisdom, written down, and in words we can understand. I even have the Holy Spirit to help interpret them. It’s so easy to forget what we know so well when life gets busy and our brains get tired.
Thanks, Joanne, for this minute of thinking.
Michele, you said it well – we lose focus when life gets busy and our brains tired. So grateful He gave us Sunday – the Sabbath – the day of rest. May He renew your strength today!
What a powerful and beautiful phrase “It pays to take life seriously”. God must be our “ultimate concern” as Paul Tillich says. I sometimes get caught up in the frivolous things that enter into my life. This is a good reminder to consider what is important and serious.
Laurie, that was the phrase which grabbed me as well this week. So often we are told not to take life or ourselves so seriously. But God tells us to take life seriously and we should, as we only get to live these days once. Grateful for the thoughts you share!
Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it’s working out, but God does promise to work all things together for good. It’s always best for us to follow his instructions!
You’re right, Kym, at times it does feel things aren’t working out. But God is always at work and when we look back, we will see all the behind the scenes activity.
Thanks for sharing! This is the second post I’ve read tonight that speaks about Hearing or listening to God’s instructions and this on the heels of seeking His wisdom about a nominating committee request of me from my church.
So I will wait to hear from Him on whether it is His will that I take the position. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Karen, I love when God repeats a message to us. Praying for you this morning – may you Hear clearly from Him and be obedient in His leading. Blessings!