This world is a fickle place. No matter what you do, there are things you need to do better, or differently, or more efficiently. People may pride themselves in being able to make their own decisions, but there are still plenty of people that have definite opinions of how you should live; and theyre bold enough to tell you.

Im not one thats influenced by what other people think. In fact, as a teenager I was labeled a nonconformist, and Im still very independent in making my own decisions. I thought people understood this about me, until I turned thirty last year. Perhaps I became more sensitive, but it seems that entering the third decade of life brings about serious contemplation about how you are living, both in yourself and others. After all, you still have the advantage of youth and the wisdom of experience on your side. So it was, after all, time for me to buckle down and make some major life decisions:

My husband and I had been married seven years isnt it about time to consider starting a family?

Ive been in the same job since shortly after I graduated college isnt it time to pursue better paying promotions?

Weve been thinking about building a house isnt it time to stop thinking and start doing?

Ive been driving the same car since high school graduation isnt it time for me to buy a new one?

I thought about going to graduate school for a while am I going to finally do it?

To all of these questions comes the justification that I need to think about taking action because you arent getting any younger.

I do know. I have prayed about all of these things and more, but the answer that keeps coming back to me is always the same: Patience. Stay the course and pay more attention to the Lords prompting than the squares on a calendar. When Gods timing is right, He will open the door and it will happen with His blessing. Deep in my heart I know I will need to eventually step out and make some major decisions, but this time Ive decided to trust in the Lords timing and not rush because the voices around me say I should.

Life doesnt move in the same linear pattern for everybody. Sure, some people go the perfect course of school-marriage-family, but often that doesnt work in reality. Some people leave school to get married, and finish years after theyve started their family. Some people do marry, but for complicated reasons of finances or lifestyle decide to postpone parenthood until later in life. Some never marry and focus on career, while others do marry and decide that maintaining a good home and personal life is more important than big bucks and long hours at the office. Life is full of decisions, and what suits one person may not be practical for another. Thats why faith is so crucial to our spiritual well being. Peace comes from putting life in Gods hands and trusting Him to lead us in the right direction. If you live based on how others think you should, you lose possession of yourself. However, if you walk faithfully with the Lord, you can have confidence that all things will work out for your good in the end. Frankly, Id rather be patient and have things happen in His timing than force things to happen my way. Then I can handle anything He brings my way because Ive been prepared to handle it through His power.

Ive lived long enough to know that I cant do it all on my own. Deep in my heart Ive know it for a long time, but it took thirty years for that fact to really sink in the crevasses of my brain. I have made a mess too many times getting in a hurry to do something because everybody else is doing it, and I certainly dont have the strength to hold myself up to something I forced to happen. Remember, if the Lord doesnt will it, He doesnt have to support it. You can do a lot by your own effort, but if it doesnt have His blessing then He wont keep you in a place you put yourself. I have never had regrets for exercising patience and waiting on the Lord. In fact, all of my greatest accomplishments have come when I ignored the voices around me and faithfully followed the Holy Spirit working in my life.

Ill do what God says when He says to do it, and thats it. No life is perfect, but Ive learned to find contentment in what Ive been given. I live in the hope that if Im a good steward of the blessings I have, they will multiply through His grace. Perhaps I will get what I want or perhaps I wont, but at least I know Im on the right path and if I keep running the good race then I will win in the end. Ive chosen which master I will answer to, and it isnt one of this world.

God needs more strong, confident people to throw down the gauntlet and stand up for Him. There are a lot of weak-minded people that run with every whim of the world, and its a shame to see them chase such futile pursuits. How many people do you know that bounce from one thing to another, always in search of something better? They go from one job to another, searching for a bigger paycheck. Or one city to another, searching for a better lifestyle. Or one spouse to another, searching for the elusive love they cant seem to keep. Some people do thrive on constant change, but to grow you have to set down spiritual roots and get grounded in living right, not running from what hurts and swinging to everything that feels good. Joy only comes from living the authentic life God created you to have. Deep down, I think most people know that.

Im not saying you should disregard everything other people tell you. Sometimes other people can give you advice that is truly a word in season, and it brings about a revelation that helps you grown in faith. God does speak to us through others, and we are wise to hear their words. But if somebody is pressuring you to do something that doesnt feel right in your heart, its ok to put it in your mental trash bin. Satan speaks through other people too, and thats why discernment is so important. Prayer unlocks this gift to let you know if youre hearing the truth through others, or lies to distract you from your purpose. Thats the good thing about advice you can take it or leave it.

Life is extremely brief in the face of eternity, yet how we spend this short time determines how we will spend eternity. Is it worth it to throw away Heaven just to fit in now? We need to pay more attention to who we are allowing to be the master of our lives. If more people would focus more on the Holy Spirit less on what everybody else thinks they should be doing, life would be easier for us all. God can only use people that turn away from the voices of this world and towards His. The simple fact of the matter is that Jesus was absolutely right: You cant be a slave to two masters. If you listen to this world you can never win, but if you listen to God, you cant lose.