Mark Batterson writes: ‘Sometimes a closed door is the very thing that gets us where God wants us to go. I’ve come to think of closed doors as divine detours. And while our failed plans can be incredibly discouraging and disorienting, God often uses the things that seem to be taking us off our course to keep us on His course. (…) If you feel like you are stuck in a [rut], here’s my advice: give Jesus complete editorial control over your life. You have to quit trying to write your own story. And you need to accept Jesus not only as Lord and Saviour but also as Author. (…) God is far more concerned with your future than you are. We put so much pressure on ourselves, as if the eternal plans of God are contingent upon our ability to decipher them. The truth is God wants to reveal them more than we want to know them. And if we think one misstep can frustrate the providential plans on the Omnipotent One, then our God is way too small. Not only does God want us to get where God wants us to go but He is awfully good at getting us there. He may not always reveal His plans or how or when we want Him to. But when we chase the Holy Spirit our future becomes His responsibility. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

Do me a favour: Stop reading for a moment and take a deep breath. Now let it out. [Let go, let God.] God is in the business of positioning us in the right place at the right time. And that ought to give us an unshakeable sense of destiny even when we feel disoriented.

God is setting up divine appointments all the time. And as long as our motives stay pure and our spirits stay sensitive, He will make sure we meet the right people at the right time. That ought to buoy our spirits even when it feels like the ship is sinking! Pray for divine appointments all the time.

You never know how or where the Holy Spirit is going to reveal His plans. One trip, one meeting, one article, one class, one conversation can radically change the trajectory of your life. (…) What is required is a moment by moment sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. And you have to trust His promptings more than you trust your own plans. Instead of getting frustrated by fighting the wind, appreciate the fact that something uncontrollable and unpredictable will get you to where God wants you to go. (…) If you lose everything else, don’t lose you sense of humour. A sense of humour can get you through just about anything. I’m convinced that the healthiest and holiest people are the people who laugh the most. (…) All we can do is plant and water. God is the one who gives the increase. (…) Learn to enjoy the journey. (…) You have two options when you don’t like your circumstances: complain about them or make the most of them. (…) It doesn’t matter how long the delay or detour, God can make them work together for good.’

Mark Batterson, Wild Goose Chase, 2008, Colorado USA, Multnomah Books, Chapter 6, p.122-142

Mark Batterson writes: ‘Sometimes a closed door is the very thing that gets us where God wants us to go. I’ve come to think of closed doors as divine detours. And while our failed plans can be incredibly discouraging and disorienting, God often uses the things that seem to be taking us off our course to keep us on His course. (…) If you feel like you are stuck in a [rut], here’s my advice: give Jesus complete editorial control over your life. You have to quit trying to write your own story. And you need to accept Jesus not only as Lord and Saviour but also as Author. (…) God is far more concerned with your future than you are. We put so much pressure on ourselves, as if the eternal plans of God are contingent upon our ability to decipher them. The truth is God wants to reveal them more than we want to know them. And if we think one misstep can frustrate the providential plans on the Omnipotent One, then our God is way too small. Not only does God want us to get where God wants us to go but He is awfully good at getting us there. He may not always reveal His plans or how or when we want Him to. But when we chase the Holy Spirit our future becomes His responsibility. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

Do me a favour: Stop reading for a moment and take a deep breath. Now let it out. [Let go, let God.] God is in the business of positioning us in the right place at the right time. And that ought to give us an unshakeable sense of destiny even when we feel disoriented.

God is setting up divine appointments all the time. And as long as our motives stay pure and our spirits stay sensitive, He will make sure we meet the right people at the right time. That ought to buoy our spirits even when it feels like the ship is sinking! Pray for divine appointments all the time.

You never know how or where the Holy Spirit is going to reveal His plans. One trip, one meeting, one article, one class, one conversation can radically change the trajectory of your life. (…) What is required is a moment by moment sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. And you have to trust His promptings more than you trust your own plans. Instead of getting frustrated by fighting the wind, appreciate the fact that something uncontrollable and unpredictable will get you to where God wants you to go. (…) If you lose everything else, don’t lose you sense of humour. A sense of humour can get you through just about anything. I’m convinced that the healthiest and holiest people are the people who laugh the most. (…) All we can do is plant and water. God is the one who gives the increase. (…) Learn to enjoy the journey. (…) You have two options when you don’t like your circumstances: complain about them or make the most of them. (…) It doesn’t matter how long the delay or detour, God can make them work together for good.’

Mark Batterson, Wild Goose Chase, 2008, Colorado USA, Multnomah Books, Chapter 6, p.122-142