Directed Steps

Jeremiah 10:23

“Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”

The high school my daughters attended was really good at band. None of my daughters played in the band, but it was clear that the football team wasn’t the only group excelling. Cedar Park High School has won state band competitions multiple years in a row. When we went to football games and watched the band at halftime, it was like watching a moving art piece. We sat by some very proud band parents, and they would cheer as loudly as possible every time the band played. I always wondered if the kids on the field could see the beauty that we were seeing from the stands.

Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Jeremiah was clearly quoting this proverb from Solomon when he penned his prayer to the Lord in chapter 10. I have always struggled with what this verse looks like in real life. I mean, it’s good to say, but what does it look like when I see my feet moving in one direction in the messy here and now?

Let’s take the Cedar Park High School band. All those kids on the field are moving in unison, working together to create something truly beautiful, something worthy of being called the best. But they didn’t just wake up one morning, roll out of bed, and create an award-winning band with over a hundred people moving in sync. No, they were instructed by the band director. Every morning and evening, we would hear the band practicing, which was a huge part of their success. But where is the band director when all of this is happening? He is standing at the top of a tower with a bullhorn, instructing the kids on the ground, guiding them where to go.

Hopefully, you’re getting it by now. Our lives are being played out on the field of life. We have been practicing and practicing. If you are a follower of Christ, then your heart should desire to walk in the path the Lord instructs you to. Here’s the catch, you can’t see the whole thing. You are just one person in your life, and only God can see how all the pieces fit together from above. You have to put your full faith in Him.

Just think how silly it would be if one or two kids decided to do their own thing while the rest of the band followed the routine. They would look out of place, out of sync with the rest of the band. That’s how God sees us when we do things our way, we look out of place. Just like in school, when the band director grabs his bullhorn and calls out to the kid going the wrong way to get back in line, God calls us back when we stray.

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Who is directing your steps?

Prayer: Father, I pray that we grasp the true meaning of Proverbs 16:9. I pray that we listen when You direct our steps. I pray that we fall in line and trust in all things, knowing that You see the whole picture and that You want us to follow Your direction instead of going our own way. In Jesus’ name, amen.