"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (BSB)
I was listening to a sermon recently about temptation. It pointed out that with the help and grace of God, we can overcome and be stronger than whatever is keeping us from His plan for our lives. With His help, we can be greater than our persistent temptation, whatever that may be.
I have no doubt of that, nor do I have any doubt that His plan for my life is far greater than any plan, vision, or dream I might have for this mortal coil.
All of that is true, yet still there’s a pull inside of me saying “Perhaps I’ll say that prayer of surrender tomorrow… actually, next week is better for me. Does that work for you God?” This I know, because here I sit trying to manage the machinations of this life with my flesh and blood hands, mind, and will.
Sometimes somehow I seem to think if I utterly surrender this one area today here and now, somehow, it’s going to mess with things.
I think that’s an easy thing for us to do, and I suspect it comes up over and over again throughout life in different areas.
It’s easy for us to feel like we have to influence, direct, or control the circumstances.
But, you know what we’re really saying when we do that?
Something in us is saying “God, here's the deal, clearly You can’t handle this. There are pieces of this thing You just don’t understand, so I’m going to take care of this part of the situation and tomorrow, (next week, next year, when this one thing happens or is accomplished) I’ll hand it over to You.”
What arrogance. Believe me, I’m not pointing any fingers here (they say when you do that, it’s really just three pointing back at you anyway, and that’s perfectly appropriate.) Frankly I’m getting a bit of a Holy slap on the wrist. Divine correction is an amazing thing, but sometimes it feels like I’ve just been to the principle’s office.
I have been blessed to see the works of God’s hands in more ways than I can count. He’s shown up in my own life in ways most people would not believe. Yet still, my little controlling human self dares to stare down the Creator of the universe and say, “You know what God, I have this appointment coming up, and if I practice diligence and excellence in my life leading up to it, it’s just not going to go the way it needs to. So for now, I’m not going to do that. But, once I get through this, I’ll hand it all back over to You. I’ll get back to that whole faithful discipline and focus thing, and we’ll head on down the road to the future You planned for me at the beginning of time. Sound good?”
I suspect He would say no…
“No, my child, that doesn’t work for me. Because, you know that you are trying to control the situation, you know that you lack faith in this area. It’s time to take a leap of faith. Make a habit of faithful diligence and excellence moment by moment and trust me to take you where you need to go.
“Trust me with the appointments, doctors’ reports, lawyers’ filings, hearings, tying up of loose ends; trust me with all of the details, all of the logistics.
“Trust me to cultivate and nurture the right people. I have plans to bring some very special humans into your life. Honor my spirit in everyone you encounter, treat them with love and respect. Treat them as you would me.
“In so doing my child, you will be well prepared for the people, circumstances, opportunities, joys, trials, rewards, journeys, and adventures I have planned for you.
“If you are willing to trust wholly, believe fully, and have absolute faith, you’ll remember down to the depths of your soul and in every fiber of your being, that I’ve got this. Walk in faith and be at peace my child, for if you’ll allow me, when you need it I will carry you, and when you don’t I’ll give you the strength, and anything else you may need, to walk by my side.”
Heavenly Father, thank You. Thank You, for having a plan far better than we could ever imagine for each and every life. Thank You, for making our paths straight. Thank You, thank You, for giving us the will to want to walk in Your Way. These things I pray in the precious name of Your Son, Yeshua. Amen.
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship." ~ Romans 12:1 (CSB)
"Do you not know that your body is the temple of The Spirit of Holiness who dwells within you, whom you have received from God, and you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price; be glorifying God with your body and with your spirit, which are God's." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ABPE)
"Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth." ~ Psalm 46:10:15 (GNT)
May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.
Bonus song of praise... ♥
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