Who do you Measure

Proverbs 20:24
“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?”

 This past weekend I got to go to the Love Does conference in Austin with some of my best friends. IT WAS AWESOME! One of the speakers named John Richmond asked us some questions that really caught me off guard.

He first asked us a really important question I want you to ask yourself.

“Who is your ruler?”

 I didn't understand what he was asking us. He was talking about what consumes or rules our life. We are often so busy with ourselves and sometimes what we do with our lives can become our ruler. It could be a job, school, or an obligation that we idolize and let dictate our life. It could be a sin or struggle that we give ourselves to. We tend to get caught up in so many different worldly things that become our “ruler.”

Then he went on to ask another question.

“Who do you measure? Do you measure yourself or God?”

He talked about how we tend to make everything about us instead of trusting in God. Am I able to do this? Am I capable of it? Is this realistic for me to do? I realized after asking myself this question that whenever it comes to a decision whether it’s simple or complex, I make the decision based on whether or not I think I can do it. Why do we do this? Is it our selfish nature? Are we being “safe”?

 I was scared. I was safe. Most of the time, we don’t attempt something because we don’t see the end result. I will be the first to admit that I like to know the answers! I like to know the answers for school, my future, and so much more! And if I don’t, I find myself worrying and over thinking things. And it is stopping me from doing so many things. We are not just created to believe in Jesus. We are called to put our faith into action! We can start something that God can finish. He is making something beautiful out of us! (Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time…”) We don’t need to be discouraged or taken back if we mess up.

What is it that you want to do…? Do you want to go to law school and change adoption laws? Maybe you want to become a teacher and love Jesus and love children. Do you want to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves? Do you want to mend family relationships that seem impossible to fix? Do you want to change your ways and the way you live your life? What are you passionate about?! What do you really want to do? God gave us gifts, desires, and talents to be passionate about and use to do things with our faith instead of just living safe...

We need to stop measuring ourselves up and measure God. Without him we will always fall short.
God tells each of us: I do measure up. I am sufficient. I love you and care for your dreams. I will go with you. I will provide. I will show up and come through. What you start I will finish. I am ruler over all. I am able.

 “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every single time.”

Who is you ruler? What are you aiming for? Who are you measuring?

Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.”