Maybe / Maybe Not!

"I wonder if it will sunshine today? Or maybe it is going to rain. But it could be a good day. But then again, the wind may begin to blow hard. The sun isn't shining very brightly through the window -- I wonder if it is clouding up? I think maybe I ought to just stay in bed."

Is that the picture of our motivation (or lack thereof)? Are we ever hesitant to start out on something because we wonder about all the possibilities?

Solomon wrote. . .
"(4) He who observes the wind WILL NOT SOW, and he who regards the clouds WILL NOT REAP." ( Ecclesiastes 11:4 ESV)

The New Living Translation reads: "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done."

The point is not hard to miss! Some allow all the "what ifs" or possible circumstances to keep them from launching out into anything. Rather than focusing on things from the standpoint of "conviction" they focus on everything that brings to mind "caution." I'm not saying we should throw caution completely to the wind, but we must realize how easy it is to allow things to keep us from STEPPING OUT IN FAITH and undertaking what the Lord desires us to do.

Solomon went on to say. . .
"(5) As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. (6) In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good." ( Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 ESV)

Most Hebrew manuscripts for verse 5 read "As you do not know the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb."

Since we don't always know how things are going to go and which specific actions may succeed the most or even if they all may be equally good -- STEP OUT IN FAITH AND LET GOD BRING THE FINAL RESULTS. Remember, God is not bound by circumstances. Nor is He bound by "what ifs"! If we waited until we had it all figured out or our "ducks in a row" we would never get anything done! Be comforted that we don't have to have it all figured out. That is God's work, for He is the One Who has the vision and the wisdom to do it as we allow Him to work through us. May we not become so focused on the circumstances and things we cannot change that we allow no room in our lives for God to do His work as we WALK BY FAITH. Let our actions be tied more to conviction than caution!

Have a great day PROMPTED BY THE CONVICTION OF GOD'S WILL!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 01/31/1999 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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