As I discussed Proverbs 3: 5-6 tonight during Bible study, I was sharing how acknowledging God is speaking who He is: The Great I Am that I Am, the first and the last, the sovereign God…acknowledging He is this big God.
THEN, for the first time in all my years studying this verse, it hit me – or rather was revealed to me – that acknowledging God in all my ways is trusting that His plan is best…His way is best.
Acknowledging God is surrendering to His will and being obedient to that will – even if we don’t understand it. But we trust Him to the point that whatever the outcome, we know he’s got us and we’re safe.
It’s, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” I acknowledge you not just to get me to the destination, but I trust you for the journey as well.
Have you prayed over and repeatedly for something and still have yet to see it come to past?
Are you tired of praying about that situation, that problem…that desire…that longing?
Are you ready to throw in the towel?
Perhaps one of our issues is we are too focused on what WE want. We are humans and often, it’s all about us and what we desire. But what about what God wants?
My friend, who is a priest, once told me that God is more interested in who we become during the journey as opposed to just getting us to the destination.
As I think about this, it reminds me of a graduation. It’s such a big deal. Lots of bells and whistles. It’s an exciting day…but it’s ONE day. It’s that one day which culminates years of schooling in some instances. And trust me, I love graduations! They are worth celebrating. However, it’s the challenges we overcome, the victories, the failures, the late nights, early mornings, the tears, the difficult professors, perhaps the sitting out a semester for whatever reason…the journey of mountaintop and valley experiences, which all make the tassel worth the hassle. It’s all we have been through to get to that cap and gown, cross the stage, family-cheering moment.
So as you wait on what you have so earnestly prayed for, begin to take your focus off the destination and begin contemplating what God is doing in you during the journey. Is He trying to get you to be more patient? Is He desiring to strengthen your faith in Him? Is He saying, ‘You’re not ready. You want this more than you want me’? Is He saying, ‘My grace is sufficient’?
The reality is waiting can be hard (I know). Waiting can be lonely (I know). Waiting can be frustrating, particularly when we’ve been waiting long AND we see others – including those who do not serve the Lord – receiving some of the same requests we have been praying for (I know that too!). It might be weeks, months, years of prayer for healing, deliverance from low self esteem, a house, that new job, the husband, the baby, the salvation of your son, that scholarship, restoration of your marriage, that financial breakthrough etc. If God were to give us everything we want – and immediately at that – we would have no need to trust in Him. We would see Him as a magician.
So during these early morning hours, as I think about what I am waiting for, I encourage you – while I am encouraging myself in the Lord – to fix your eyes upon Jesus. Do not desire anything or anyone more than Him. Do not compare yourself to others. What God has for you…for me, we will get. Wait patiently. Wait on His timing. Wait faithfully. Worship while you wait. Get busy doing the work of the Lord, while you wait. Don’t waste your wait. Grow through it.
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14
From after four this morning, I couldn’t sleep. I was thinking about my soul and how I have not fully surrendered to God.
Yes I am a Christian. In 1998, while in my early 20s, I gave my life to the Lord. Every so often my mom – who was a Christian all my life – would encourage me to give my life to the Lord. That morning was different though. The Spirit of God convicted my heart of sin. I got on my knees, confessed my sins and asked Jesus to come into my life.
Twenty two years later and I confess, I haven’t fully surrendered my all to Him. I haven’t laid it all on the altar. There have been some idols (check yourself; you might find one or two and be surprised by what or who they are). As I look over these past two decades, there have been times I embraced the Burger King mentality: Have it Your Way. I realize there were still those, “My will” moments as opposed to, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” Everything has not been left at the foot of the cross. There are times when I haven’t put God first. Self will and not God’s will reigned supreme at times.
When I think about surrender to God, I think about letting go. I think about being satisfied in Him. I think of, “Even if my will doesn’t come to past, I would still serve you Lord.” That’s surrender and today, I want to be there.
In January this year, I was at an event and heard a song that was beautifully sung. But what touched me more than the beautiful voice were the words. I quickly wrote down a few lines and after the event typed them in Google. I learned that the artist was multiple award-winning singer, Lauren Daigle. She is so real and her lyrics have touched those in the secular and Christian world.
Photo: Amazon.comPhoto: Nola.com
I didn’t know Lauren but I did further research and came to love a few of her songs. One of the songs which struck me was, Trust in You. This song has special meaning to me. It’s my favourite of her songs.
Lauren encourages us to lay it at His feet. And even when He doesn’t move the mountains or part the waters, we must trust Him. That is surrender.
Today, I invite you on a journey with me. Today is a new day. It’s a new chance…a new beginning. Yesterday is gone. Let’s start afresh…quit the Burger King Mentality. Not my will. May Romans 8:28 become real to us, knowing that all things are working together for our good, no matter the circumstances. Let’s trust Him. Let’s trust the process. Let’s surrender to HIS will.
Both women’s husbands died. Neither had children. Both women wept at the prospect of leaving their mother-in-law when urged to return to their own mothers.
But when pressed, Orpah decided to return to her people. Ruth decided that wherever her mother-in-law went, she would go. Naomi’s God would be her God, Naomi’s people her people…where Naomi died and was buried would also be her resting place.
Do y’all blame Orpah? Like seriously. Be real. How many of y’all would have gone back to your country and hope to find a husband?
And what about Ruth? Do you love your mother-in-law that much? Do ya love her at all?! You might not want to answer!
Honestly, I believe Orpah was operating in the flesh. This old, widowed woman with two deceased sons and no assets couldn’t help her in a famine. Orpah couldn’t see beyond the present situation…the current circumstances.
Now Ruth…she was on a different level. This woman was operating in the spirit. I believe this woman had seen and experienced the God of Naomi. And that’s why she said, “…thy God (shall be) my God.”
If you read this four-chapter book of the Bible (I am currently studying women of the Bible), you would note that Ruth – a stranger in Judah – eventually married Boaz, a wealthy kinsman of Naomi’s deceased husband.
Ruth – who was considered to be better to Naomi than 10 sons – also became great grandmother of a future king: David. Look here, don’t operate in the flesh. If you are considering going back, count the cost. PRAY for guidance. The flesh will lead you down the wrong path. You could be missing out on a bright future.
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