Just before I turned 40 I started taking college courses for credit. I was still working at a newspaper as a reporter but I made a decision to attend college full-time and give up my 'dream job' as a writer. A new semester began in January so the timing seemed perfect. It was all in God's plan.
"Divine guidance comes only to prepared hearts."(says my Life Application Bible in a footnote for Matthew 2:13). I'd like to think that I received divine guidance as I made this big change in my life. Much prayer and contemplation went into it. Perhaps like Joseph, my heart was "receptive to God's guidance".
"An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.' So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."" (Matthew 2:13-15 NIV).
Following God's guidance in life may not be as obvious as it was for Joseph - in a dream. But when we center out hearts on Jesus through Bible study, reading God's Word regularly, seeking His direction through prayer, and listening for God's voice, I believe God still speaks to us with His guidance.
O God, Mighty and Holy, hear our prayers this day and speak to us with Your Perfect Wisdom. Help us make good decisions in our lives and remember to always include You in our plans in 2026. Thank You for being the same today as You were when Jesus was just a baby. Open our hearts and minds to be receptive to Your plans. We pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.
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