Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your understanding, in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.
Declaring your trust in God is so important, not just for the establishment of your faith in God but also when it comes to the plans and purposes God has for your life.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says that as you put your trust in the Lord, leaning not upon your own understanding – like your abilities, experiences, wealth, education, and networks - but upon God, He will direct your paths in life. Don’t overlook or dismiss all of those things from your abilities to your networks – just understand that the Lord is the source and ultimate provider of these and it's wise to always look to the source, rather than the end product.
God says He will make your paths straight. Instead of your life being a long winding road that has many crossroads and dead-ends, God will make your paths straight, bringing both the best in quantity and quality into your life.
Some people become anxious and discouraged in life because they feel they have run out of time – that they are now too old to make anything of their life. But it's never too late for God and He can accelerate His plans for your life.
A powerful example of this is Jesus' first miracle, where He turned water into wine at a wedding reception.
Jesus' mother came up to Him and said there is no more wine left. (John 2:1-10) Jesus responded with “what has that got to do with me?...my time has not yet come”. But Mary, a well-informed mother who knew what Jesus was capable of doing just walked away and said to the workers, “Whatever He asks you to do, do it”.
There were six large stone pots nearby that Jesus told the workers to fill with water, each holding about 100 litres or 25-30 gallons. Then He told them to take some of the water (which was now wine) and give it to the master of the banquet. When the banquet master tasted the wine he was amazed saying: “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink, but you have saved the best till now.”
Jesus not only provided the best quantity but the best quality wine.
Do you understand how long it actually takes to make wine of this quality? First, the grape seeds have to be planted in the ground and it takes several years for the vines to be mature. Then the grapes need to be picked, processed, and fermented for about three to five years, which is just for the average wine. The best quality wine takes much longer. Aging it for quality and increased value, takes longer still, up to 20 to 30 years!
Yet in His first miracle, Jesus makes not only a vast quantity of wine but the best quality wine, in a second!
Can you see what He can do in your life? Don’t stress and fret thinking that you are running out of time. Just keep trusting in the Lord when it comes to the dreams and purposes that He has put in your heart. Continue to be encouraged in the midst of setbacks and delays because the God we serve knows how to speed things up and restore lost time in your life!