Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be achieved.  The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose-even the wicked for the day of disaster.  Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.    Proverbs 16:3-5  HCSB

I don’t know about you, but I am not a big fan of the treadmill.  I like to walk and even sometimes jog in the great outdoors.  But here in Southeast Louisiana, if you want to walk or jog on a regular basis, you need a treadmill for backup.  Often the weather just doesn’t cooperate.  But equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines and Stairmasters all have one thing in common.  You go and go and go and get nowhere.  You can walk, pedal, step or climb for hours and remain in that same spot.  Now of course you get all the cardio benefits, but you get nowhere.  When you do this outside, you can travel several miles. You can take in beautiful scenery.

When we plot our course in life and set out on that course without seeking God’s will, it is much like being on a piece of stationary exercise equipment.  Work, work, work, and get nowhere.  Our scripture passage tells us that if we want to achieve our goals that we must commit our activities to the Lord.  Verse 9 in this same chapter of Proverbs says that A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.  God created us for a certain purpose.  We all have been given certain gifts and certain jobs to do.  When we go against God’s plans for our lives it’s an uphill battle.  You see God is God.  He is the creator of the universe.  His will is going to be accomplished.  He gives us the choice as to whether we want to live in His will or try to do it all on our own.  Many years ago, I set my sights on a job.  I worked hard to complete all the things that I was told would all but guarantee that I could get hired.  After several years of work, I didn’t get the job.  I was devastated.  I cried out to God.  I couldn’t understand why He was punishing me like this.  God let me know that He wanted me to stay right where I was for the time being.  He had work there for me to do.  At that point I committed my work there to the Lord.  I was caught up in sin during the process, but I did what God was calling me to do.  God honored that and when the going got tough at that job, he helped me into another job and even allowed me to retire 3 years earlier than planned with my full benefits.  God is so good.

Our scripture passage also tells us that the Lord has prepared everything for His purpose.  God has great plans for you, He wants what is best for you (Jeremiah 29:11).  If you truly believe this, then your life will show it.  He has even planned disaster for the wicked.  You may see evil people and wonder why God is not dealing with them, but trust me their day is coming.  I have also come to realize that often times God is dealing with them, but they are too proud to let anyone know it.

There are times our pride gets in the way.  We are often taught, even as young children, that we need to be self reliant.  If you can’t count on yourself, who can you count on, right?  Well, the truth is you can count on the Lord.  God is there for you, He may not always give you your way, but He is working all things out for your good, if you love Him and are doing what He has called you to do.

So, if you feel like you are on the treadmill of life, constantly putting one foot in front of the other and getting nowhere,  think about the things that you say and do.  Have you committed to speak and act the way God calls us to?  Are you doing your best to stay close to God and commit to the plans He has for your life?

I didn’t understand why I had gone through all that work and didn’t get the job.  I didn’t understand it at the time, but 15 years later, God’s plan for my life fell into place.  I was so grateful that I had stopped chasing that dream and committed my ways to the Lord.  It was the best decision I ever made.  When I did this, it was like stepping off the treadmill and onto a beautiful path that had been set for me by God.  If you are still trudging along on that treadmill, turn to God.  Ask Him what it is that He would have you to do.  Commit your activities to the Lord and watch with wide eyed wonder as He helps you to accomplish great things.

Have a great day!