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 something more to it, so I immediately began searching for definitions and articles. It wasn’t until I looked up the difference between path and trajectory that the "light bulb moment" occurred.

We all know that a path, in short, is how we get from one point to another. It's a concept we all understand. Trajectory is a more modern term that is also used to describe a path, but it includes something else 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 that you are alive at this moment in history for a reason - that God has a purpose designed 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 what we see on social media or how we feel about our circumstances at any particular moment. We're 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 in faith and obedience 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." 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. What we are missing or perhaps simply choosing to ignore is that we’re not just hindering what God desires to do in us personally, we’re also hindering 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'm 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's 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 afraid it's also become too easy as Christians 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 mean 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 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 day. It matters if our hearts are enamored with 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 and He knows 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 - and embrace God's trajectory for your life, your testimony and your ministry.

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.

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight, and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord. Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10