Enjoy the Journey!

Proverbs 2:1-5

            Life is full of decisions, from eating to what house to buy, from where to run to choosing a career – we are all confronted daily with making a choice on a variety of subjects.  Many years ago, my friend and mentor Mickey told me to “Enjoy the Journey!”  You see, I was feeling a tug on my heart to become a Youth and Missions Pastor and, to walk away from a lucrative career in the medical business world.  As I agonized over this life changing decision, my friend simply said, “Randy, Enjoy the Journey!”  I never forgot that and, after many months of prayer, discussion with my wife, input from great friends, not only did we Enjoy the Journey, not only did we apply the above passage to our situation, some sixteen years later, we know we did what God wanted. 

As a Pastor, I counsel daily with lovely folks in our congregation that face decisions, some radical, life changing decisions; my input to them is always two-fold, Enjoy the Journey and, go to the Word!  In Proverbs 2:1-5, we are invited to seek wisdom because it teaches us those principles by which we may know God’s guidance and helps avoid any unnecessary detours. There are 8 commands (vs. 1-4) that we are to follow when seeking God's directives and if obedient, an answer will be given (vs. 5).

1. Receive His Words - allow God's word to be your road map...

2. Treasure His Commands - like a priceless gift, treasure what He requires and says...

3. Have attentive ears – Be sure your spiritual ears are wide open...

4. Incline your heart to understand - lean not on your understanding...

5. Call for insight - to know when faith rules over pragmatism...

6. Raise your voice - pray like crazy...

7. Seek after - as a deer seeks refreshment, pursue the Living Water's heart...

8. Search with resolve - be committed to a reckless abandon to find His plan...

So, when a decision is on the horizon, remember to Enjoy the Journey; and, as you do, apply the advice from Israel’s third king Solomon and your answer will come!  Last, when we go about choosing and hearing God’s heart on any matter we’re facing, rest assured we will experience a peace that is beyond our human understanding and, we’ll be rested & comforted in knowing He’ll guide our every step!