“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Prov.16:9
Lord Jesus, some decisions are “no brainers” and some merely require “sanctified common sense.” But other choices tie us in knots, rob us of sleep, and fuel our second-guessing. Winding down 2024 and on the cusp of 2025, those phrases aren’t metaphors but realities for many of us—myself included.
We find comfort in seeing how the main characters in your birth story were thrust into new scenarios, new stories, and new stressors—all generated by your arrival and presence, Jesus. Mary and Joseph, the shepherds who made it to Bethlehem, Maji who’d come later, insecure religious leaders, threatened Roman officials—everyone was thrown into decision-making mode in response to you, Jesus.
That’s actually not a bad thing—living life and making decisions in response to you Jesus, and you being whoYou are. In fact, that’s how we want to finish this year, begin the new year, and live the rest of our days you have determined for us. You’re not an add on, Jesus. You’re not the opening devo and closing prayer of our planning sessions. You are our life, treasure, and righteousness … and we belong to you, Jesus … Hallelujah!
It’s comforting to know that, as our Lord, you “determine our steps” and the outcome of our planning. You “open doors we cannot shut and you shut doors we cannot open” (Rev.3:7). Hallelujah for your door-sovereignty, Jesus! This doesn’t mean we are to be passive or cavalier in our decision-making. It does mean we can move forward in faith, not fear—leaning (collapsing) on you, Jesus, not trusting in our own understanding. For those of us with big decisions looming, we are grateful life is 10,000 times more about trusting you, Jesus, than choosing between Doors 1, 2, and 3. So Very Amen.
