Should we feel safe with God?

I just had a discussion with an intelligent, godly teen. The issue: discerning God's call, making decisions about college, location, and vocation. I talked with another teen a month or so ago about the same issue.

Their fear: making the wrong decision, marrying the wrong person, going to the wrong college, etc. Certainly a noble fear. They do not want to start down a path that will lead them away from God or the plan he has for their lives.

I have a concern about this though. There is great anxiety and confusion surround the apparent need for certainty. I need something, someone to tell me that I am making the right decision. Do they trust their own inner voice or feeling? That seems to be their predominant source.

I have a slightly different take on it. God does speak through the still small voice, but I find I listen to the general teaching of Scripture, the saints (living), and then trust that I am making the best decision based on the knowledge God has given me.

I have felt anxiety while making decisions in the past, but not so much any more. I feel safe with God. I trust that he will not bring me to a point where he will leave me. That as long as I am earnest to follow him, he will go before me. I know I can goof up and make bad decisions, but he will continue to woo me in the direction he has for me.

The two teens I talked to had a hard time believing that God is not up there with an index card which contains the names of the specific spouse and college and career that they need to choose. That he is not saying" ha, let's see if they figure it out, I'll say it in a voice that they aren't expecting and then get them if they ignore it."

Other thoughts on this?

What do you think?

Food for thought

I don't know about you but the super bowl makes me think of food. And for some reason...Sushi. I will have to eat it some time soon.

Do you like Sushi?

The Horror of Love gone wrong.

Bad news, today was a slow day at work, my fellow servers and I did not get many tables.
Good news, today was a slow day at work, my fellow servers and I had a chance to chat.

Two ladies, both in their 50s-60s, both married to men who are hyper-controlling.

My heart ached as the one lady said, "Joe, I think the problem is that he loves me too much." I tried to tell her best I could that, whatever that was, it was not love in its truest sense.

"He won't let me visit my daughters," "I wish I could have a night out with the gals, but yeah right, like that could ever happen". "He has to spend every waking moment with me." "If I'm in the bathroom too long, he'll knock on the door and ask what I'm doing."


As I reflect in general, sin really messes us up. I tried to share with them about the nature of sin, not just those acts we're not supposed to do, but its near-genetic curse properties, infecting all humans, leaving us incapable of truly loving God or others. We can do a lot that looks nice and even loving, but love, true love, is only a gift of God's grace.

I know C.S. Lewis has written extensively on this topic and I do not have the energy to dig out the books. (I know Great Divorce has a great chapter on a mom's "twisted love" for her child)


I am just grateful for God's love for us and for his contagious kingdom which spreads and enables men and women to love again.

I was hoped the ladies would hear the "bad news" that precedes salvation. I cannot wait to share the good news.

I would appreciate your prayers.

Interesting Picture eh?