Above All Else

Who or what is the ultimate authority in your life?

Now the question is, does that response happen to match up with reality? Because this here is definitely a case of "actions speak louder than words." It may be fairly simple to respond verbally in one way, but then carry out decisions, life, thoughts and perspectives in a completely different direction.

In one breath we can whisper a promise of quiet surrender to God, then our next thought can lead us back to seeking control and power. The act of surrender may happen in a moment, but living a life of surrender requires millions of moments in which we choose to relinquish control and again place our complete trust in Jesus. 

Still not sure how to truthfully answer that first question? Try starting with these:

Where does your allegiance lie?

How do you spend your time?

Where do you invest your money? Resources?

How do you make decisions?

The answer to these and similar types of questions are indicators to who or what is the ultimate authority in your life. 

So why does this matter? Well, whoever is in charge calls the shots, to put it simply. :) The coach calls the plays, the teacher instructs students in academics, parents set boundaries and guidelines for their children, etc. 

Who "calls the shots" in your life?

We are constantly in decision-making mode. This is a lesson I've learned since slipping into adulthood seven years ago. (Wow, seven years!) It's rather frightening for an individual who avoids decisions. I saw this quote recently: 

"I'm indecisive because I see eight sides to everything." - April Kepne

Yep, I think that sums it up. I'm all about gathering information, weighing all options, testing out different decisions before coming to the final conclusion, and especially listing out the pros and cons, etc. It's a rather extensive process. Sometimes I feel like I ran a marathon after making a final decision. Final decisions definitely call for a celebration! 

While we do make life decisions constantly, that's no reason to panic - even for someone like me who gets a little crazy around decision-making time. I was talking with someone recently about making some pretty significant and possibly overwhelming decisions about my future and was quickly reminded that trusting God with my life is not about knowing the next 25 steps, it's about knowing the just the very next step. Because really, that's all we need to know. Even that single step is often an act of faith.

The Psalmist, David, wrote that God's Word is a light unto his path. This makes me think of a man holding a lantern walking along a winding trail at night. He only sees the step in front of him, but the path continues to be illuminated as he moves forward. This is exciting to me! Just keep moving forward...

In all the decisions we make that dictate the direction of our lives (whether we realize it or not), we need to stop and acknowledge God as the authority. Surrender your plans to Him. 

Pray that you will hear and respond to HIS voice and directions above everything else. 

"Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you." Psalm 37:5 (NLT)

God cares about us and wants to give us the desires of our hearts. But we must first align our hearts with Him and acknowledge His authority as Lord of our lives. Everything God does is for our good and His glory. I so often need the reminder to put aside my own plans, and remember that God is on the throne of my heart, and ultimately, of the Universe! We need to trust God and believe that He loves us enough to give us what is best. 

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

{Father, You are supreme, above all else. Thy will be done!}