What is Your Why?

Proverbs 19:21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertherless the Lord’s Counsel – that will stand. 

You know there are many reasons to get out of the bed in the morning for us all. For some it’s because hunger has set in and we need breakfast, our first of many meals for the day. For others it’s to go make the donuts, I like to say, or the job which helps us pay our bills and provide for our families. Yet and still for others, it’s just the opportunity to go about at our leisure because we’ve given over 30 years of service and retirement is a happy place to be right now during a pandemic. May I suggest for us all that there is a much deeper answer to what is your why?  

In verse 20 of Proverbs 19, it tells us to listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. Suggesting that for us young believers of faith that we may know a little something, something. However, if we just wait study, read and pray, there is oh so much more to understand. If we just listen to our Daddy, that later as we mature, that which we don’t understand right now, will be made clear. You see saints, if you’ve never been hungry and not knowing where your next meal is coming from. Just wait a little longer, because that homeless man that we pass up without an offering of sustenance. A time will come where we are hungry. Hungry for the food of comfort. Hungry for that food known as peace, an encouraging word, or loving kindness and that provision will be withheld. So, during this period of waiting listen to the counsel of the Lord. Because, as our creator, God values us all. He offers advice on what we are to do. He directs for all that we are to do. He is our why.  

As we wake up each morning, we have many plans. In our will there are lists of things we want to do. Many plans of what we believe we must do. However, what is your why? 

In verse 22 it tells us that kindness is desirable. It is attractive. Do we know that displaying God’s kindness one to another shows His love. It displays His light. It shows others His glory and draws others to us in the natural. But more importantly, to Him in the spiritual. There is a limit to what we can do with our outward appearance. However, no limits in what we can do in Christ. In Philippians 4:13 it tells us that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. We can always further develop our character and disposition. We can always improve our character. He can help develop patience. However, then He may move on to develop our gentleness. But He may come back to our patience and give us a bigger trial to help give us a longer line or even more patience. A poor man is better than a liar. A poor man has an opportunity to change His situation. So does a liar. However, the poor man’s character is not in question. A poor man’s natural state can change in a moment’s notice. However, a liar. A liar. His character is what is in darkness. An internal spiritual character flaw that only God can change. The poor man can be helped externally by anyone of us being the hands and feet of Christ and providing for His situation. However, the liar His sin only He and God knows. We can want and desire for the liar to stop lying. However, only God can build up the liars’ character and change him so he will stop lying. He is our why. 

In verse 21 Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand. What is your why? May I offer that our why is the Lord. You see saints our Daddy, our Creator, our Father. His counsel. His advice. His guidance. His direction. His instruction. Our attorney, lawyer, and counselor. He is our why? As our why, our plans for the day, for the future, for our children and family, they are all subject to His counsel. They are all subject to Him. So He is our why for opening our eyes. Our why for each breathe is Him. He allows us to experience this life. He is our why. He is that peace. He is that patience. He is the character development that we are to follow. He is our why. 

We who are strong in our faith must, without pride, treat others with love, patience, and His kindness. He is our why. So, as we go about our day today working our plans let us continue to ask ourselves, what is your why? So that we are reminded of His goodness, when that car cuts us off during traffic. So that we are reminded He is our why when the snow continues to fall for 7 to 10 inches. So that we are reminded He is our why when that wayward child goes contrary to what they promised. Let is remember today He is our why.