For some reason that is far beyond my comprehension, most of my best thinking seems to come at unreasonably late hours of the night. I'm sitting here at a time when I should be in bed asleep, but as has been the case most nights of late, I find myself pondering the deeper things of life.
My face is still damp from the tears that were shed a few minutes ago. I was overcome with the enormity of the God I serve. My reaction is not something I even begin to understand. I am humbled beyond belief that, for whatever reason He has, God has been revealing Himself to me like never before this summer. Most people, even most Christians, haven't even the slightest idea of the complexity and magnitude of our Heavenly Father. All of creation, everything our eyes can see now, have ever seen or ever will see, is sitting in the very palm of His all-powerful hand. So here's the question I'm pondering tonight: Why, in the light of this revelation, do I have such a hard time doing what my Father wills of me?
I find myself, as I'm sure many of you do as well, saying something along the lines of "I just want to do God's will" or "I'm praying He would show me His will" quite often. We are called to "wait on the Lord" in many passages of scripture. That has always been the hardest part for me. By nature, I'm not a very patient person. Once the plan of action has been thought out and decided upon, I want to move quickly. Waiting does not come naturally. However, we are also commanded to be pro-active in seeking out opportunities God places in our path. Here's the rub: what about when you know you've determined God's will for a situation, He just hasn't given you the O.K. on the timing yet?
I'm at a point in my life where it seems as if all the things I've been waiting and working for since I began the journey towards adulthood are finally approaching. It's as if I have spent years building these boats that are now docked in the harbor of my life. They are in different stages of readiness: some are still being built, others are in need of finishing touches and some are actually ready to sail right now. You all have boats in your own harbors: career, husband/wife, children, long-term ministry goals and many other boats, large and small.
I am a very passionate man. There are things God has placed on my heart that I know will be a part of my life-long ministry. There are people God has placed in my that I would gladly do absolutely anything they needed of me; people I would die for without a second's hesitation. My difficulty is reeling in my passions and submitting them to the authority of God's sovereign will.
It is our job as followers of Christ to be instruments of His work here on Earth. We all have purposes to fulfill on a daily basis. When determining whether something is in God will for us, we first have to answer the "what" question. Then, if it is something we're supposed to pursue (job, relationship, ministry opportunity, w/e) it becomes a question of "when". The when is the hardest part of following God.
The instant you get ahead of God's will, heartache and pain are guaranteed to follow. Can I get a witness from the audience? I've been guilty of taking matters into my own hands many times in the past; my heart has the scars to prove it. Submission to God's divine timing is the key to both serving our Lord faithfully and also avoiding the pain of prideful impatience.
As a man, the line is a very difficult one to walk. How do I live with these truths in mind, but also refrain from being a man of passivity? How do I pursue that fair maiden properly, while giving due respect to God's timing? How do I make the right job move when I haven't heard a distinct "yes" or "no" from the mouth of the Almighty? That, my friends, is why it is of paramount importance to maintain an intimately close relationship with our Creator and His Son Jesus Christ. That way we don't have to wander around wondering in angst if we're doing the right thing.
As always, the answer is Jesus Christ.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
so true...............
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