Stop trying to steal the pen

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sanctification”

Our Bible verse for today: “For I know the plans I have for you” – this is the lord’s declaration – “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Stop trying to steal the pen”

I was listening to a Christian radio station the other day (it was “The Message” on Sirius XM satellite radio.) In addition to great Christian music with no commercials, the DJs often share Scripture and inspiring thoughts and insights like this gem: “God is still writing your story, so stop trying to steal the pen.”

Yup, that’s me. I keep trying to steal the pen so I can write my own story. I have strong ideas about how things ought to be, and how I want them to be. So, with gusto and determination I set out to accomplish my lofty goals, convinced that God surely agrees with my plans and that He is cheering me on.

But wait, who is writing this story, me or God? According to the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah God is the One with the pen in His hand. He is the Author of this story. Jeremiah is pretty clear that God is the One with the plan. My part in this is to call to Him, pray to Him, seek Him with all my heart, and obey Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my personal life verses. It speaks to me in deep ways and I remind myself of it frequently. God has a plan. I just need to stay in-synch with Him. That also reminds me of another of my life verses, Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

This process of progressive sanctification that is playing out in our lives, and the spiritual growth that results from it, is part of God’s plan and it’s an important part of the story of our lives that He is writing. The key to living that life is for me (and you) to be a little less focused on what we want, and a little more focused on what God wants for us. His job is to write my story; my job is to seek, follow, and obey. – and it would help if I would stop trying to steal the pen.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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