Sheri Rohrer is the pastor of Outreach Ministries at the Delphi United Methodist Church. “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Proverbs 3:6

The key to this verse is “put God first.” Many of us are familiar with having goals or dreams for our lives. We often pursue these goals with passion. The road, however, is rarely easy. You may even believe that God is leading you toward a goal and then wonder why there are so many obstacles. Let me remind you of Joseph from book of Genesis or Joshua when God called him to lead His people into the Promised Land. Each of them had a vision for what God would accomplish through them. But each of them had to do it God’s way. Each had to seek God first and ask for God’s direction.

Joseph had his vision as a teenager but it was not until after he was sold into slavery for several years and sat in a prison cell for several more that his dream became a reality. What we see is that it was through the tough years that God developed Joseph to be the man he needed to be in order to be used for God’s glory. Joshua needed to take the unconventional route of silent marching around a city several times instead of just barging in and taking over on his own. Doing it God’s way, even if it did not make sense to him, led to success and entry into the Promised Land.

Whatever journey God has placed you upon, it is His journey. God knows what needs to happen so that His will is accomplished. God knows what you and I need in order to became the person He wants us to be. Put God first in your life decisions. Ask God what His will is and trust that His way is the best way.

Regardless of the bumps you encounter, the trials you face or the growing pains involved, trust in His words and embrace His promise, “In everything you do, put God first and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Blessings on your journey.