When it comes to making decisions about the direction of your life, applying this simple concept can be a big help

2 min read

And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. -Acts 16:7-8

A guy, let’s call him Aaron, is confused about where his life is going, or better yet, not going. He thought he would be heading in a different direction with his career by now.

Aaron has been praying about it and he knows other people have been praying for him, too. Yet, nothing seems to be happening. The more time goes by, the more frustrated he becomes.

The Big Three

Most of us can relate to Aaron’s dilemma. In fact, you may be in that tentative state of unknowing right now. And if you are in that confusing space, here are few helpful reminders:

1. Start with what is crystal clear. If you are struggling to know what direction to take, whether in a relationship, your career, or just life in general, don’t look past what God has already made clear in the Bible. For example, he definitely wants you to trust in His Son and be saved – no doubt about it. He also wants you to be baptized, to participate in a local church, and to actively serve others and take steps to grow in your faith. These are unambiguous pieces of God’s plan for all of us. The first step to getting clarity where you are confused is to align with God in the straightforward things.
2. Don’t force it. If it has to be forced, it probably isn’t God’s will. If you have to pull strings, drop names, or manipulate circumstances to get an opening, that’s a good indication that God isn’t in it. Taking initiative is a good thing, but it also takes wisdom to know when to back off, be still, and wait on the Lord.
3. If it is of the Lord, it will flow. One helpful way to think of the Lord’s movement in your life is to think of the movement of water. Water simply goes where there is an opening. A river will flow, twist, and turn in whatever direction that will allow it to keep moving. The Apostle Paul, for example, used the Flow Principle in his missionary work. Once his team tried to go in a direction toward a certain town but “the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them” (Acts 16:7). Whether this denial was simply a lack of internal peace about it, an impassable road, or both, Paul didn’t push. Like water, he simply went to the next place where there was an opening.

How about you? Are you forcing it, or letting it flow?

May God help us today to live by the Flow Principle. May we recognize the openings he creates for us and move in that direction.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.