As I sit in the cool fall morning, I am reminded that this journey through life is not haphazard. God, who created all things, has sovereignly orchestrated each and every step.

That truth brings me such encouragement as I often I do not understand His path when it takes the turns it does but it is not for me to understand. My role is to trust and obey His leading.

As I’ve gotten older, I find I endeavor to understand less and focus more on trusting His leading. Not always easy to do, but perhaps I’ve learned all my previous striving to figure things out was in the end useless and meaningless as I’m not the one in control of my life—God is.

So as I reflect this morning, three attributes of God come to mind:

God is faithful! Even in the barren land times of our life, God meets us there. There is no problem too big for God and not a moment that God is not right beside us—His presence is continual. Do we seek Him?

God’s timing is perfect! Often viewed as late by our standards, but God’s timing take into account all aspects of the big picture He’s weaving together. It’s perfectly orchestrated like a beautiful symphony. Do we wait on Him?

God is creative! He can take a life, an event, or an experience, and transform it into something beautiful and useful. Do we allow Him to transform us?

God is continually undergoing preparation and construction in our lives to open up a pathway to beautiful scenery ahead. Be encouraged today knowing the One True God is in control. Our job–look to Him, trust, and obey!

This morning I served with our church in their Easter Block party for the community doing face painting. Before the kids arrived, we discussed moments we could take to share Jesus and biblical truth with the kids. The kids lined up and off we went.

Painting animals gave opportunity to share God and His creation. Painting a shield gave opportunity share about God’s protection over us. Painting a symbol of Easter gave opportunity to share the real meaning of Easter. Once the block party finished, I continued to think about those brief opportunities and how I don’t know what seeds I planted.

As parents, the same applies. Every moment gives opportunity to speak into our children’s lives. Words of affirmation, instruction, encouragement, teaching, correction, and love. All are chances to plant seeds, nurture growth, or challenge for future change.

Each and every day opportunities abound. Take time to seize each moment and speak truth into their lives.

Life is not without problems. Trials come. Difficulties rear. Frustrations boil. Yet when they come, we find ourselves just trying to keep our head above water.

Everything within us wants to run and escape the trials of this life. Where do we turn? Self-help books? Quick fixes? Avoidance? Anger? Our human nature seeks any tangible solution for a way out. The problem is those are seldom God’s solutions.

It is at times like these for me that I’m reminded of an old hymn …

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Turning our eyes on Jesus instead of our problems is soothing, just like a warm fire on a cold winter morning. When we put our focus on Him, His peace fills our hearts. Then our perspective has the opportunity to be revamped, tweaked, and adjusted to God’s bird’s eye view. We may not come away with answers, but we will receive something better–God’s peace to enable us to persevere in the path He has set before us.

Trials in life are inevitable, but our responses to them is up to us.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

Click to listen to Hillsong’s “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”