by Andrea Montack

Created on: May 31, 2009   Last Updated: June 03, 2009

It seems that in the last decade things have become less stable, and nothing is really guaranteed. The world is filled with people who are unsure of their future. With the fallout in the economy we can no longer guarantee that our current investments will be sufficient for the future. Instead of looking to the future with hope, more people are dreading the time when they retire and are no longer receiving a steady pay check.

Students graduating from college are not sure if they will find a job, some are not even sure what career path they wish to take. Many professionals have lost their jobs, and are unclear of the opportunities that they will have in the job market. The fear of making a decision and later regretting it because of the outcome, has kept many of us from fulfilling our destinies. If someone would just tell us what decisions to make and exactly what paths our lives should take they would make us really happy people.

All is not lost; God has made us a promise more than 2000 years ago. In Proverbs 3 vs.6 He tells us to acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight. He is guaranteeing us a stable future, a good outcome and no surprises in the end. In Jeremiah 11 vs.28 He promises that His plans for us are for a future with hope a life of goodness and not harm.

However, there are no promises without a condition. God tells us that He will lead us in the right path based on one condition; if we acknowledge Him. To acknowledge God requires us to give up the reigns and allow Him to lead. We have to be willing to accept the path that he has laid out for us, and be willing to go where He send us. Even when where He leads is not where we want to go.

God is not oblivious to our desires, and what we desire is important to Him. In Psalm 37 vs. 4 the word tells us; Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of our heart. Because we know that God is good, and he has promised to take our desires into consideration, this should allow us to easily let him take control of our lives.

To make one's path straight means that He will not only direct us to where we should go, but He will also accompany us on that path. For every area in our life that we need direction, God is able to guide us. It may not always be the path we would have taken, but because He is God and knows all things, it is imperative that we trust his leading. The word of God tell us in Romans 8 vs. 28: All things work together for our good; for those who love the Lord and are His children.

There are many versions of the Bible and Proverbs 3 vs. 6 is worded differently in each version:

1. 6in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (NIV)

2. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track. (The Message)

3. 6In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths (Amplified Bible)

However, the condition and the promise have not changed.

Condition: acknowledge God in all our ways, allow Him full control

Promise: He will make our paths straight, and lead us into what is best for us

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