Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."¹

Fred Bauer wrote how he once "went backstage at the Metropolitan Opera to interview Jerome Hines, the internationally famous singer, who is also an active Christian layman. While he applied makeup and got ready for his role in that night's production of Aida, I asked him questions about his life and faith. One of the most fascinating things he told me was that he wasn't a good enough singer to make his high school glee club. He auditioned for the choir, but failed to impress the director. Did that detour his career? I wanted to know.

"'No, I kept on singing,' Hines said, 'because I loved to sing. I never considered it anything more than an avocation.' So he went off to college, studied math and sang as a hobby—which led to some amateur roles, which led to his discovery by people who had a different opinion of his talent from his high school teacher. Later that night, as I stood in the wings and listened to his rich bass voice sweep over that famous hall, I wondered how there could have ever been any question."²

Of one thing I am convinced, and that is that God has a plan and purpose for every life. We may get sidetracked, experience setbacks, and get discouraged from time to time, but if we are genuinely committed to discovering God's plan and, with His help, fulfilling it—and never give up—God will surely direct us so His plan for our life will be fulfilled. Our own life and the lives of many others will be greatly enriched as a result.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to discover Your plan and purpose for my life and never give up no matter how many setbacks that come my way. May I always learn to trust You no matter what. Thank You for your help and for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV).
2. Fred Bauer, Daily Guideposts, 1986, © Guideposts Associates, Inc., http://tinyurl.com/ydwer9

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