A “9 line” is a series of directions used in combat, most commonly to guide a medical evacuation helicopter to the injuries or to communicate with a pilot where to drop munitions. As you might imagine, it’s important that a nine line is right, and right the first time.
For the vast majority of us, life is not like a 9 line. Life is much more like an Indiana Jones movie; we make it up as we go along. We are imperfect and flawed. God knows that and He does not expect that we get things right the first time. I rather imagine He knows what mistakes we will make and has planned ahead to compensate when it comes to His direction for our lives. Does this mean we can do whatever we want without reaping the consequences? Of course not. What this does mean is if we decide to major in the wrong subject in school, or take a job we are not well-suited for, our futures are not completely destroyed. We have taken a detour and we can get back on track.
There are some commentators who take the following passage to mean that when God is our delight, He gives us Himself. They may be right. What I have found is that when I trust my path into God’s hands, He guides me into something more delightful than what I originally thought I wanted to do or should do.
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (English Standard Version)
Psalm 36:4 Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the requests of your heart. (Orthodox Study Bible).
My own life took a little detour when I chose to go to an APPIC (not APA) accredited internship. I selected a Christian internship site thinking that working with primarily Christian patients was where God was calling me. It wasn’t. Eventually I stumbled into working with the military – where God really wanted me – and my little life detour, while costing me a bit of time and money in the short term, was not the major catastrophe I initially thought it might be. It took me earning an additional credential to make up for the APA accredited internship to get the job I have now, but I truly feel that my life is back on track again. I am much happier working with military folk than I was working with civilian Christians.
So I leave you with this…
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
(English Standard Version)Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in God with all your heart,
And do not exalt your own wisdom.
6 In all your ways know wisdom,
That she may cut a straight path for you;
And your foot will not stumble.
(Orthodox Study Bible).
Ye Olde Peacock Lady 