Direction Correction

I recently read a passage of Scripture from Jeremiah 10:23-24 that reads: “I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, Lord, but only with Justice—not in anger, let you reduce me to nothing.” NIV

As I considered that passage I thought about how many of us think our lives are our own. I claim many things as mine: my time; my feelings; my home; my family; my car; my money; etc. Yet my life is NOT my own. When I claim these things as my own I am really assuming God’s place.

If I really KNOW that my life is not my own, then I live and act like it is God’s. So if he wants my time to be filled with inconsequential things, it is all right. If he wants me to struggle with health issues, there is a reason—My life is NOT my own!

These verses from Jeremiah also tell us that it is not for us to direct our steps. I considered what often directs my steps—my own feelings, other people or events that occur. Yet, the Lord of all must direct our steps. I can almost hear Jesus say to me: “Mike, do you not know that your life is not yours? It is mine. Remember that I will direct your steps.”

Finally, Jeremiah asks the Lord to correct him. What would it mean in our lives if we really prayed for the Lord to correct us? What would his just correction look like in our lives? Yet, I often need for our Lord to correct my focus, my way, my feelings and my heart.

It seems that when I allow Jesus to have his claim on my life, direct my steps and correct me, then my life takes on a divine direction and has Kingdom meaning. I begin to discover that I truly CAN do all things through Jesus who strengthens me! Amazing how simple it all really is!