Is life unfair or are we wanting the wrong thing?

Have you ever heard a story or watched a video and known that God was speaking through that story to you? It seems to happen when you least expect it and it makes a difference in your life. I had one of those experiences today. I didn’t get off to a great start this morning. My family is still trying to adjust to the addition of a baby girl and the “new” normal of this life. This morning it was a struggle to get the girls ready for the day and ourselves ready for work. We all eventually made it to our destinations, but mornings like these always get me started on the wrong foot.

A little while ago, however, my day got a whole lot better. I was doing my usual blog tour and came across a video that caught my attention. It was about a kid named Clayton McDonald. Clayton had something to say, and it was a message I needed to hear.

A lot of people talk about how life doesn’t always go the way we plan it. I’ve made those statements myself, usually when I’m in disagreement with God over my circumstances. I want things to go my way, but God has a will and plan for my life that I don’t always understand. Sometimes we have to move away from friends or family and live in a new city, or lose a job we love, or struggle at work and wonder why God would want us there. But in all those circumstances, the one steady constant is God. Too often we get so distracted by what life throws at us that we don’t see His hand in all we’re doing. And that’s what Clayton wanted to talk about.

Watch this video. It’s six totally-worth-your-time minutes. And then go here to watch even more about this amazing young man. Clayton understood what life is all about. His story could certainly be about missed dreams or unfairness in life, but instead he chose to focus on God’s hand guiding him down a difficult path for the glory of Christ. He has been given the privilege of understanding what our time on earth is really about. Clayton realizes it’s not about him, his desires, or his wants; it’s about God’s will, which he fully embraces.

It’s hard for us not to get so focused on our little piece of the puzzle that we miss out on the greater story of what God is doing through us and around us. We get too caught up in our circumstances to see how He is blessing us and giving us opportunities to bring Him glory. Today this kid’s message has caused me to see things differently, and my prayer is that the change will last.

I want to view every day as another opportunity to love my family more, to serve alongside my brothers and sisters in reaching our community for Christ, to walk with you and lead other young adults to find the plans Christ has for your lives. I pray we would start believing that God’s will is the best thing for us. When some of our dreams in life don’t turn out the way we thought they would, I pray we will recogniz that He’s leading us down the path He has chosen for us, a better path.