Course Correction can be Painful

The Lord said, "You shall observe My statutes and keep My judgments, and perform them; and you will dwell in the land of safety." Leviticus 25:18 God’s laws weren’t given to us to steal our fun and ruin our lives. God, the Creator of life and the wisest being in the universe, knows exactly what makes life work best. He gave us free will, but He also gave us clear directives to guide us. Sometimes we don’t know what to do, but most of the time, His commands are unmistakably clear. When we obey them, God promises to bless us with safety. In many cases the pains we experience when we break God’s laws are natural consequences. Sometime though, God intervenes and corrects our path without regard to natural effects. He is a gracious God who loves us too much to let us keep going in the wrong direction, and “whom the Lord loves, He disciplines” (Hebrews 12:6) by bringing difficulties into our lives. When these difficulties do occur, we wonder, what’s this all about? If we pay attention, the Holy Spirit taps us on the shoulder and whispers, “I’ve given you plenty of warning, but you didn’t listen. Maybe you will now. You need to stop sinning and start trusting.” If we finally listen, we move toward obedience and safety again. Is God trying to get your attention right now about something? Alternatively, what kind of consequences does it take for you to notice Him and change your direction? Please comment below or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com