By: Rev. J. Loren Russell
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
As I thought about transformation and how it is achieved, I was drawn to these verses. The significance is direct and compelling.
People take many different paths in life, each trying to determine the right path for them, the way that will take them to their place of comfort, happiness, and success. No two paths are the same for any two people, yet everyone follows their path with the hope of finding solace, pleasure, and victory.
Sometimes, when we are on our path, we rely heavily on our education and training to lead, to guide, and to show us the way. But verse five instructs its readers to trust the Lord, not superficially, but with their entire heart. It says that they are not to lean or depend on their own understanding. The verses do not identify a specific path, but a specific process. Verse six takes the directive to trust the Lord and applies it to every area of your life, regardless to the path chosen.
Whatever you are doing, wherever you are going, whatever way is chosen, the directive is to acknowledge the Lord. In the Hebrew language, the word “way” is “derek” and means a course of life, a process of action a road, a path, a journey, or a direction. “Derek” is the course or the path of life one chooses to take. But, the scripture, while not identifying a particular path, does say in all (any or every) way that is taken, we must recognize the presence of God. If the presence of God is seen, recognized, and acknowledged, He will direct them on whatever path they have chosen.
Proverbs 16:3 confirms this directive by telling its readers to commit to the Lord whatever they do,] and their plans will succeed.
There is much debate in the world about faith and how one comes into relationship with the Lord. While every belief system has their own understanding of that process, this scripture affirms that the Lord can be found on any path that is taken, but only by those who trust in Him with all their hearts, lean not on their own understanding, and acknowledge that the Lord is present on the path.
That’s when you will be transformed, given direct access to the Kingdom, and your way made straight.
Be Blessed +++
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company and The J. Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting, an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashwords).
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