God is good. Those who walk closely with Him know this. For those who do not, the Bible offers many examples of His goodness – chief among them is the familiar verse, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
He has a good plan for my life. I have clearly seen this over and over again. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer 29:11
But here is the current issue I’m struggling with:
If I know that God is full of goodness and His plans for me are good, why do I still do things my own way as if my ideas are somehow better? When I ask the question, it seems so foolish.
He created the universe and I didn’t. Not only did He create the universe, He created me. So He knows me better than I know myself. “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matt 10:30
He sees the future and I don’t. Because He exists outside of time and space, He is able to know the end from the beginning. The Bible is full of examples where events were predicted centuries before they ever took place. I don’t have this type of knowledge when I formulate plans or make decisions.
He is limitless and I am limited. There is no limit to what God can do. We read stories from eye witnesses to the miracles of Jesus and see that God often operates outside of our limited understanding.
So what is it that causes me to run off and do something on my own?
Maybe part of it comes down to my lack of a “moment by moment” relationship with Him. I don’t just confine Him to Sunday morning. I spend time with Him every morning and it is the best and most amazing part of my day. But that’s just it, its a “part” of my day. What if I gave Him the whole day?
Immediately, the thought comes to mind: “Well, if I give Him my whole day, I just won’t anything done!” But what if the things I want to get done are really not that important?
“I have my priorities, the things I want to accomplish are very important!” Important to whom? God or me? Who is setting the priorities? Who knows what’s best — me or God?
“But I have so many things on my To-Do List, I can’t afford to stop and think about all this other stuff!” And there’s part of the problem. Overwhelming myself with lists so long that I don’t have time to think. Why make a list without consulting Him? What if His agenda is far more satisfying? What if it’s actually easier than the burdens I place on myself? (“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11:30)
There is one final barrier. I don’t want to admit it, but there it is — the issue of trust. How could I possibly trust someone I can’t see? How could I NOT trust the God who has proven to me over and over that He is worthy of my deepest trust? So there it is. As usual my “humanness” gets in the way. All I can do is pray:
Father, I submit myself once again to You, the One who loves me most. I ask for Your will to replace my own, in every situation I face. Increase my faith. Give me wisdom. Slow me down enough to hear the still, small voice inside that guides me in the direction that I need to go. I have worn myself out trying to do it my way. Let’s do it Your way so that I may experience the freedom, joy, and peace you offer so generously. I ask for this in the Name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen
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