“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. “Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live…” (NASB Isaiah 55:2-3)
Do you ever struggle to understand why God does what He does? Ever wrestle to relinquish control? Do you ever struggle to rest in God’s timing or to trust in His provision?
A few weeks ago, I felt compelled to pan back to gain perspective. I hoped to release my agendas, my timelines, and my expectations in an exchange for God’s. Yet, another part of me still attempted to control my circumstances and influence my outcomes.
Thankfully, instead of God moving my mountains, He moved me! He changed my mindset by challenging me to relinquish my control and to “QUIT TRYING TO BE HIM.”
Don’t worry. I don’t actually confuse my abilities with God’s. I know He is INFINITE and I am definitely finite. I know He is ALL Powerful and I can only do what He empowers me to do.
But … if the truth be told … sometimes I pick up the weight of my circumstances. Sometimes I think to myself. How can I make this happen. Or, what am I NOT doing right? Sometimes, I become frustrated when things don’t happen in my expected time frame and feel confused when God’s promises seem delayed.
Anyone else know what I’m talking about? Anyone else struggle with SELF-SUFFICIENCY? If so, consider the following 1-2-3’s:
- First and this may be a little blunt, but, quit trying to play God. Oh, of course, we should always show up, be faithful, and ask God to move our mountains …but then … we need to consider step two …
- Release the outcome. God doesn’t call us to be successful; He calls us to be obedient. His measurement for success isn’t the world’s standards. He desires for us to simply listen for His voice and then follow in steps of obedience. As Christians, faith isn’t conjuring up a noble notion and saying “Here I go God; bless it!” Faith simply hears God’s voice and then aligns itself to follow after it. Our obedience solicits the “well done good and faithful servant” reply we long to hear.
- Third, embrace this simple truth. “Faith doesn’t reside in the outcome of our circumstances. Faith resides in the unshakable confidence of WHO GOD is and His good intent toward us.
Friend, God loves you intrinsically, not transactionally. The world measures success in numbers. You produce, you’re in. You don’t produce, you’re out. God, loves you because you’re His. He designed you on purpose for a purpose and destined you for greatness. He works ALL things together for your good … even when it’s painful.
So, as we put our hand and to the tasks God’s entrusted, may we embrace the truth revealed In the Practice of the Presence when Brother Lawrence said, “God needing nothing, sees in our works only the love that accompanies them.”
Today, may the fruit of all we do be compelled by our love for The One who died to make us whole.
I can’t begin to tell you how much of a blessing this article is, and I just want to let you know that this is exactly what I needed to hear today! Our Father is so faithful… even when we are faithless. And today I was feeling very faithless. Thank you for your words of encouragement that so often minister to my weary heart! DLewis
Wow, what an awesome article, Julie. You truly have such a powerful gift when it comes to writing in such a way that your words (inspired by God) just really touch my heart and I am a grandma. So, some old dogs are never too old to learn new tricks. I hope the Lord blesses you as much as your writings bless me. Thank you for keeping an open ear to what He has to say, Julie.