Where to Begin

Some days it is difficult to know where to begin.  You might want to discuss the many ways in which God has blessed you, or you might want to air the grievances of your heart.  Maybe you want to sit out under the stars and watch the infinite vastness swirl around you.  Maybe you want to to rise early and watch the sun burst forth arrayed in splendor.

Some days you might want to stay under the covers, and hope the world doesn't find you.  Other days, you march right outside and grab the bull by the horns.  Your time might be well organized and utilized to the fullest possible potential.  Then again, maybe your time slips through your fingers like grands of sand, and some days dozens of opportunities are lost.

Knowing where to begin is as much an art as it is a skill.  Like an art, there is a certain "feel" to it.  Like a skill, it can be built upon.  When it comes to life, knowing where to begin is essential.

A life that pursues God, begins with the fear of the Lord.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Fearing the Lord has more to do with reverence than terror, but there is still an element of terror present.  It is a good thing if our anxiety over our sins drives us to repentance.  However, if a dread falls upon us that makes it impossible for us to approach God in search of forgiveness, it is bad.

Fear of the Lord is birthed in us by the grace of God.  Grace teaches our heart to fear, then it stills that fear within us.  Once grace has stirred the slumbering giant of the fallen conscience, it then moves to enable the heart to believe.  The Spirit of God is the agent that works this grace within our hearts.  Therefore, his presence is a reminder of God's gracious intentions toward  us.  God's intentions never fall short of their goal.

Having this reality in mind, we must approach those situations where we are uncertain about our course of action with confidence in the love of the Lord.  He loves us even when we don't know it.  He has a plan for us even when we aren't sure of it.  So, the next time you're tempted to throw the covers over your head (unless your sick), ask the Lord to help you.  Ask him to show you what needs to be done, and for the strength to do it.

How good are you at waiting on the Lord?  Do you always know where to begin?  How do you face difficult days?