Transforming Truth

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” –Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

Every year, the back-to-school season awakens an excitement in me for all things new. The appearance of aisles and aisles of crisp, colorful school supplies, the scent of freshly sharpened pencils and perfectly tipped crayons, and the return of brisk fall mornings stir up memories of new beginnings and the excitement of a clean slate ahead.

Motherhood rekindled my eagerness for the rush of a fall fresh start. Preparing my daughters for our new homeschool year allowed me to “reboot” many things, such as our routine, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and, of course, our schoolroom essentials. And by the end of summer, I often longed for the change of the calendar page because it was a chance to start over in other areas where I had failed to reach my goals.

Now an almost-empty nester, I wonder why I still feel drawn to peruse those attractive aisles in search of something new. Maybe I should refresh my home office, reorganize my filing system, or maybe even pick up another paper planner to reinvigorate my productivity?

Back-to-School Re-do

As I walk away from the temptation to fill my cart with non-necessities, I realize I am really searching for a reboot of this year, something that updated supplies can’t fix. I want a do-over for incomplete projects I had resolved to conquer and fresh motivation to begin again where I’ve fallen behind.

Do you find yourself longing for a “back-to-school” reboot at this time of year? Maybe, like me, you intended to complete a Bible-in-a-year reading plan, and now you’re considerably behind. Maybe you hoped to turn over a new leaf in an area where you’ve been struggling to form new habits. Self-improvement usually tops our resolutions lists, because who doesn’t want to “do better” this year and get more exercise, eat healthier, spend less time on screens, just to name a few?

However, I have to admit that although many of my plans for this year were good ideas, they’re not necessarily God’s ideas. And my disappointment has more to do with my own unmet expectations than with the priorities God has set for believers in Scripture.

Good Goals or God’s Goals? 

As the Apostle Paul reminded Timothy, his young brother in Christ, we can spend a lot of time improving what’s on the outside. Still, it has little value when compared to what we can improve on the inside—a transformation that has eternal impact:

“For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8 ESV)

(opens in new tab)Some of your goals may even be spiritually motivated, such as spending more time in God’s Word. But I had to remind myself that checking off a box in my Bible app or proving to friends that I could keep up with their reading pace often took my focus away from intentionally spending time with the Lord and soaking in the truths of Scripture daily. We can easily be led off track when we prioritize our own pursuits over our daily pursuit of Him.

While there’s nothing wrong with setting goals, particularly when we think they align with God’s will and guidance for our spiritual growth, Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that just because we try to plan our course, the Lord is the One who directs our steps, and He may not lead us where we thought we wanted to go.

Seek & Surrender

Failing to achieve self-imposed goals does not derail God’s divine designs for our lives. Yes, you may not have “arrived” where you expected to be at this point in the year, but God has good plans for you right where you are (Romans 8:28).

Have you found yourself longing for a fresh start this back-to-school season? As Jesus Himself reminded us in His Sermon on the Mount, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Place those unmet goals in God’s hands, decide to seek Him first, and ask Him to guide your next steps.

Prayer Response:

Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for the times I have prioritized my own goals and plans over my daily pursuit of You and time in Your Word. I confess that my desire for self-improvement often gets in the way of more important priorities that lead to eternal rewards. Thank You for the gentle reminder that Your grace is not dependent on my performance. Help me shift my focus away from simply checking off boxes, and draw me into a deeper, more intentional relationship with You. As I look ahead to the remainder of this year, I surrender my goals, my schedule, and my desires to You. Give me the wisdom to discern the difference between a good idea and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Teach me what it means to pursue true godliness, align my heart with Your will, and give me the peace to trust You completely as You direct my steps.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Questions for Reflection:

• Does the return of back-to-school excitement stir up a desire to reboot in other areas of your life?
• Are you holding your goals loosely and leaving room for the Holy Spirit to direct you to pivot, even if they are good goals?
• Have you prioritized external improvements over internal transformation? Ask the Lord to forgive you for losing sight of His priorities, and thank Him for assuring us that His mercies are new every morning.

 

Related Posts:

• Trusting God With Our Best-Laid Plans(opens in new tab)
• How Can I Be Thankful in All Circumstances?(opens in new tab)
• Faith to Face an Empty Nest(opens in new tab)

 

Join the Conversation:

Have you found yourself longing for a fresh start this fall? Does the back-to-school excitement stir up a desire for a clean slate? Share your reflections in the comments below. I’d love to pray for you!  

*This devotional was published on Crossmap.com(opens in new tab) as part of the Daybreak Devotions series.