Trajectory

Feb. 8, 2023

TRAJECTORY

The word reverberated so loudly through my mind that it seemed almost audible. I knew what trajectory meant, but I had a feeling there was much more to it than that. I immediately began searching for definitions and articles on trajectory, but it wasn’t until I looked up the difference between path and trajectory that the proverbial “light bulb moment" occurred.

We all know that a path, in short, is how we get from one point to another. It's a simple concept that I think we all understand.

Trajectory, however, is a more modern term that has gained popularity in the past few years. It can also be used to describe a path, but it includes something more that’s incredibly important — TIMING. It tells us how quickly we should move and what time we should be at what point along the way. In other words, it includes a schedule.

When it comes to God’s plan and purpose for our lives, this difference in terminology is huge!

We know God's timing is important because it's a theme that's woven throughout the pages of scripture. God put our earthly concept of time in motion and we know one day it will come to an end, but Acts 1:7 tells us that it’s not for us to know the times or dates God has set by his own authority.

It is my hope that you know you are alive at this moment in history for a reason — that God has a purpose designed specifically for your life, even if you find yourself confused about what that is at the moment.

Not knowing or even understanding God's timing does not lessen its importance in our lives. God knows exactly what His plan for each of us entails and the earthly timing involved in every detail. It is our responsibility to walk by faith, not by sight — and certainly not by what we see in the news or on social media. We are to simply trust that He will use our obedience to accomplish His purpose, according to His timing, whether it makes sense to us at the moment or not. We walk by faith in obedience to what He asks us to do whether we understand or are able to see an impact made.

Unfortunately, Satan has been hard at work weaving a very destructive web of deception in this world that has crept its way into the church and into our individual lives as Christ followers. We recognize this lie in the lives of those who are lost when they say, "It's my life and my choices don't affect anyone but me.”

What we fail to recognize is that there are countless Christians who live the same way, because we have bought the same lie — that our choices don’t hurt anyone but ourselves — that our choice to live in disobedience to God doesn't hurt anyone but ourselves.

That, my friend, is a lie fabricated by the great deceiver himself and there is a reason God refers to Satan in that way. He is the salesman of lies… fear… self condemnation… shame… regret… what if’s… whatever he knows he can talk us into believing that will steal our joy, kill our peace and destroy our effectiveness for the Kingdom of God.

What we are missing or perhaps simply choosing to ignore when we buy the lie that our choices don’t affect anyone but ourself and we begin to live as though our choices don’t affect anyone but ourself, we not only hinder what God desires to do in us personally, we also hinder what God desires to do through us publicly.

I know for a fact that whether or not I am in God's Word and seeking to grow in my relationship with Him affects everything and everyone in my life, because I've witnessed the impact my walk with Jesus Christ — or lack of — has on those around me. All you have to do is ask my husband if it affects him and the atmosphere in our home. I can assure you that He will undeniably answer with a resounding, “YES!” And I would say the same of him.

When I am living in disobedience and walking in my flesh, I will be the first to admit that I can be a hindrance to others, especially those closest to me — and there is absolutely no doubt that when I'm immersed in my earthly circumstances and throwing a personal pity party for one that I miss opportunities to impact the lives of others for Jesus Christ.

I’m also afraid it's also become far too easy for most of us to use God's sovereignty and the fact that He can accomplish His will with or without us, as an excuse to stay comfortable and complacent in this lie.

I know the mental conversation that goes on, because I battle it too. Thoughts like —

- If it’s THAT important, He'll find someone else to get it done, right?

- And He’ll forgive me again, I mean He knows I struggle with ___________. We can all fill in that blank with something.

Yes, God will certainly accomplish His plan and purpose for this world with or without us, and yes, His grace abounds and His mercies are never ending — but He has made it very clear that it is His desire to accomplish His will here on earth with and through us. It is His desire for each of us to know and love Him enough to live connected to Him and walking in His Spirit so that we are sensitive to what He desires to do in and through our lives each and every day.

It matters if our hearts are enamored and distracted with the things of this world and far from Him. IT HAS ALWAYS MATTERED.

God‘s timing is perfect, because it's His. He created it and it belongs to Him. If you are reading this, He has already set the trajectory of your life in motion. He knew the moment you would take your first breath, He knows the moment you will draw your last, along with every moment He has planned for your life in between.

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. (Jer 29:11)

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are a new creation, set apart to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do. (Eph 2:10)

It's time to throw off the things of this world that are hindering what He desires to do in your life personally and through your life publicly.

It's time for God's people to humble our hearts before the Lord - confess, repent and allow Him to begin filling us up with His presence and joy so fully that it overflows into the lives of everyone around us, unhindered.

Lord, help me to get rid of the things in my life that are hindering me from living fully for You. Forgive me for the sin that has entangled me and kept me from walking by faith in obedience. I need you to breathe life into my dry bones and give me a renewed passion to accomplish the work you have prepared for me, with my eyes fixed on You. In Jesus name, Amen