Step Four Searching For God’s Plan

 Human beings are wonderfully complex creations of God.  We have a body, a soul, and a spirit.  God planned for us to live in harmony with Him and with everything else in creation. God made us in His image so we could live in relationship with Him.  Only in this relationship with God can we know the security and stability needed to properly enjoy all the other desires and passions we experience as human beings. 

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 NASB)

 Without relationship with God our foundation for living in a healthy human relationship does not exist. We fear pain, crave pleasure, and desire power. Our participation in actions that are destructive and addictive result from not knowing how else to cope.

Making a searching and fearless moral inventory is a wonderful way to start at the beginning and see how everything is meant to fit together.  We have natural appetites and passions for sexual fulfillment, emotional and financial security, and a place of respect and usefulness in society.  These are God-given qualities.  God is ready and willing to show us how these strong desires may be met in a wonderful way.

This is all there is in the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. But none of these comes from the Father. They come from the world. The world is passing away, and all the things that people want in the world are passing away. But whoever does what God wants will live forever. (1 John 2:16-17 ERV)

We get into trouble when we focus on a particular desire and go after its fulfillment rather than seeking to know and love God and asking Him to show us the right path to satisfy our deepest needs.  God didn’t give us instincts and passions in order to make us suffer.  God wants us to enjoy full and satisfying relationships.  However, in order to know how to live, seeking God must come first, then everything else will fit together in harmony. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Too often I’ve done things backwards.  I’ve looked to meet my needs before asking You which is the best way forward for me.  Help me to seek and learn from You today so I can have the satisfying life You created me to live. Amen

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