Leaning Not on Myself

These two verses are among the most quoted in Scripture, and also among the hardest to live. Trust with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding, and acknowledge God in all your ways. Leaning is a bodily image: what we lean on is what we let carry our weight. Our own reasoning is useful, but it is not meant to be the only beam holding up our decisions. The promise is that God will make paths straight, which does not always mean easy or short. It means aligned with his purposes. Today, before a decision, big or small, pause and say a short sentence, Lord, what do you think? Then move forward with humility, listening for counsel from Scripture and from wise people. Practice acknowledging him in the ordinary choices too.