This morning, as I sat down with my cup of coffee to begin my morning time of prayer and Bible study, I glanced across our living room and discovered that a small spider had built a web overnight. Anchored on the arm of the couch, the wall, and the ceiling, he was sitting there waiting to catch something. We had brought in some plants a few nights before to avoid death by the first frost of the season, and I remember seeing a spider on one of those plants, but yesterday, we had taken them back out so they could get the sunlight they needed. Evidently, this little guy fell off the plant he had previously taken refuge in.
Much like He did throughout Scripture, the Lord often uses nature to highlight spiritual principles to me to strengthen my own understanding. So, as I sat there, observing this small creature who had tirelessly worked on his web all night, I started reflecting on some things in relation to our walk with God… the importance of timing and of place.
We’ve all heard the saying about being in the right place at the right time, but the opposite is also true. Sometimes we rush God’s process, putting ourselves in the wrong place and/or out of God’s perfect timing. For this little spider, had he not been on the plant before we brought it inside, perhaps he wouldn’t be in the predicament he’s in now, but his effort of building his web to catch food to eat will now prove fruitless, because without our intervention, he would face a life of either slow starvation or, if we were to kill him as many would who find a spider in their home, sudden death.
Much like this little spider, we as Christians can end up in the wrong place, a place God never intended for us to be to begin with. This can result from a number of areas, from being slothful in our walk with Him or not knowing Him well enough to actually discern His will for us, to being fearful of stepping out in obedience to do what we know He’s already called us to do. Likewise, we can miss God’s timing when we hesitate to take action until after we’ve missed His appointed window of opportunity.
Another analogy that can be seen from this spider’s predicament is the fact that he was shaken off the plant he had previously been on. Sometimes that happens with us as well. Something traumatic happens in our life that shakes us, and if we aren’t walking hand-in-hand with Jesus and solidly anchored in Him, we may end up in a situation God never intended for us, toiling away and wondering what happened to the fruit of our labor.
I’m so thankful, though, that despite times in our lives where we may have been in the wrong place or at the wrong time, God is so merciful to guide us in a course correction when we run to Him with repentant hearts in humility, acknowledging that His way is better. For He knows the plans He has for us – plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
So how do we course-correct if we suspect we have arrived in the wrong place or have missed God’s timing?
Seek God’s Counsel – Pray and ask Him to reveal to you if you are in a place He never intended you to be in or if you have missed His timing. If He confirms that you have stepped outside of His will, repent, and ask Him to lead you into His will for your life. If you don’t hear an answer right away, don’t be discouraged. Continue to seek Him. Remember that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Seek Counsel from the Bible - Dive into Scripture to seek wisdom from the voices of the writers who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write these words of wisdom so long ago. Some key verses to reflect on include Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 37:23-24, and Ecclesiastes 3:1.
There are many accounts in the Bible, as well, of others who have been through similar situations, having initially missed God’s plan, but later God course corrected them. Here are a few: the story of Moses (Exodus 2-4), Jonah (Book of Jonah), David (2 Samuel 11-12), Peter (the Gospels and Acts), and Paul (Acts 9).
To be encouraged to stay God’s course in order to see His plan for your life unfold, read the stories of Esther’s Courage (Book of Esther), David’s Anointing and Kingship (1 Samuel 16- 2 Samuel 5), Ruth and Boaz (Book of Ruth), and Abraham and Sarah’s Promise (Genesis 12-21).
Seek Counsel from proven godly leaders and mature brothers and sisters-in-the-faith whose lives reflect the fruits of the Holy Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23. There are many people leading churches and ministries who are not good examples of godly leadership and there are also many who are. How will you know them? By their fruits. Likewise, there are many Christians who are not mature in the faith and many who are. Their fruit will be revealing as well, but if you are new to knowing whom in your fellowship is mature in faith you can learn by asking others. You can then ask these individuals how long they have been walking closely with Christ and ask if they have any testimonies of how God course corrected them in their own lives. A mature Christian will be more than happy to encourage you, pray with you, and share their personal testimony with you.
So be encouraged! Whether you've missed God's timing or the place He wanted you to be in, begin to seek Him. He will be faithful to guide you through a course correction, back to the path He has for you.
