Flimsy Tree Branches

As I prayed down by our cottage earlier this week, I asked the Lord to help me test the spirits, to test and approve what His good, pleasing and perfect will is.

Sitting with my eyes wide open I saw movement in the lower part of our grand Chinese Elm tree. It was our little squirrel testing the way he wanted to take. He was trying to put his full weight on some flimsy, wispy shoots branching directly out of the lower part of the tree trunk. Just putting one paw on them showed they would not handle his weight. Trying again and again to find a way to step out and get to where he wanted to go, he soon learned…by testing…that this wasn’t a good, pleasing or perfect way to take. Pretty soon he turned and pursued another path.

I love that visual. May I also test the steps I want to take, by weighing them in God’s Word. May I no longer be conformed to the things of this world but instead be transformed by the renewing of my mind as I immerse it in His truth. Then I will be able to test and approve what God’s good, pleasing and perfect will is…AND trust that He will direct my path.

1 John 4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…”

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”