‘I did it my way’ is perhaps the most famous song that Frank Sinatra performed, and those words sum up the attitude of countless millions of people as they pass through this life … to where? … to what?
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps”
In this life we can plan and pursue our own ways, reaping the blessings or problems that follow. But in the end, ultimately, when the final whistle blows, when all is said and done and our life and spirit depart from our physical body, we will face Almighty God and “each of us will give Him an account of how we have lived”. We can do whatever we want, but the Lord will have the final say, both in this life and in the next. He determines our steps into our everlasting future, according to how we live in this life:
“… man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement”
But for Christians, for all who know and love the Lord Jesus as their Friend and Saviour, and are seeking to abandon their own selfish ways and walk according to His gracious plans for their lives, there is no fear in that prospect, but great joy, for we are proving the Lord’s faithful guidance in this life … right now!
Eighteen months ago, Jean and I got on a Sydney Harbour ferry from Circular Quay. We had planned our destination, paid our fare, and enjoyed the journey in the glorious sunshine and wonderful views.
When the ferry reached its terminus, we found that we had arrived miles away from our intended destination; we had got on the wrong boat! Because we try to live our lives following the
Lord’s plans, we wondered if the Lord had overruled our mistaken ways and brought us to where He wanted us to be. As we walked on the clifftops in the beautiful sunshine, alongside the pulsating ocean with spectacular views, we knew in our hearts that we were walking with our Father. For where He had led us was a far, far better place than where we had originally planned to be:
‘In our hearts we had planned our course, but the Lord determined our steps’
This is a simple illustration of something that we have experienced on countless occasions in our lives as
we have made our choices then humbly yielded our decisions to the Lord for Him to work out in His way:
‘For His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways’
True Christians know and have proved that: ‘the Lord’s ways are far higher, far better, far more beneficial, enjoyable, productive and worthwhile than are our own ways’
“there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths”
The Lord God Almighty said to His people Israel and He says to each of us today:
“I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future”
“I have set before you life and death … therefore choose life
… love the Lord your God and walk in His ways”
The song continues: ‘And now, the end is here, And so I face that final curtain …’
I close by asking you two simple questions:
Are you doing things your way … or God’s way?
What will you say to Him when you meet the Sovereign Lord God one day?
Ron Brickman