God's Blueprint: Finding Joy Through Trust and Commitment
Illustrated for GOD'S MASTERPIECE book by Lisa Caprelli and Davey Villalobos
"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this." Psalm 37:4-5 (NIV)
Think of it this way: you're putting together something new. Imagine it is a puzzle, but this one is unique; it depicts your life's story. There is a dream, a choice, or a moment in every piece. What if, though, someone else helped you put it together? Imagine if you had a guide who knew just how the puzzle should be put together.
Embrace the joy that comes from putting our trust in the Lord, and He will grant all our heart's desires (Psalm 37:4-5). Put your trust in the Lord and His plan for your life, and He will see it through. God seems to say, "If you put your faith in Me, I will assist you in finding the perfect fit for your puzzle pieces."
Another passage from the Bible that sheds light on this is Proverbs 3:5-6: "Put your trust in the Lord completely and do not rely on your wisdom. Submit to Him in all your endeavors, and He will direct your paths." This verse serves as a roadmap for our daily journey. We are reminded that God's method is always superior, even when we think it's the greatest way.
At times, we may feel as though we have a firm grasp on things. Everyone has their own goals and aspirations, whether it's for work, life or balance. However, compared to our plans, God's plans are superior. Our lives begin to fit together in the most exquisite way when we put our faith in Him and allow Him to be our guide.
When I was going through one of many challenging times, my mom would often say, “Lisa, there you are, writing your own life plan on a chalkboard, and God is gently erasing it, reminding you that He has a different plan for you. One day, you'll learn to trust in Him and His plan…”
Our desires begin to mirror God's when we are content with Him and seek to follow His will. Those are the most wonderful things, too! So, how can we define delighting in the Lord? The comforting knowledge that God cares about your well-being and loves you makes all the difference.
"Lord, I desire to adhere to Your scheme, even though it differs from mine," is the prayer that must accompany a heartfelt commitment to the Lord's method. It's as if you're entrusting Him with the puzzle's lid and believing that He will fit everything together flawlessly.
Faith in God does not guarantee a trouble-free life, but it does assure us that we will never be truly alone. Trusting God completely, rather than relying on our own judgment, is emphasized in Proverbs 3:5-6. When we do this, God says he will straighten our paths, guiding us to the joy and contentment we seek.
Be careful to put your plans in God's hands. He has a knack for elevating them to a level beyond our wildest dreams with His unique BLUEPRINT.
The life He is helping us create will bring us genuine joy as we put our trust in Him.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."