Good morning. Happy Celebration Sunday!









Has God ever asked you to do something you didn't want to do or didn't feel equipped to do?
It's a yes for me! 

It doesn't mean that God doesn't have my best interest at heart or that he wants me to fail. He KNOWS what is best ALL THE TIME.
He knows my path, what my tomorrows look like, what I CAN accomplish and what he's calling me to in HIS perfect timing.
You'd think knowing and believing that God's got this, would make it easy to say "yes" to his leading.
Not so! I am, again, being asked to step out of my comfort zone. My comfort zone is small, well worn, familiar, cozy, perfect for me.....created by me.... according to my likes, dislikes and....well, my comfort! You may say, "just say no" and I could very well do that.....and two or three years ago I probably would have.
I've mentioned this memory often but it's one of great impact in my journey to follow Christ with wild abandon. A pastor once said that we should follow Christ so closely, as if holding on to his belt loop, that we have no other choice but to allow him to lead. HE can see what's coming, I cannot.
I have to trust him to lead me and to know what's best for me. I'm not gonna lie, though I know and believe with my whole heart that that's true, I struggle.
"God, I'm not equipped to do that." "That's not an interest I have." " That's not what I'm good at." "I've done that for XXX number of years. I'm not interested in doing it again." "That is so uncomfortable and scary." "I just don't want to." "Are you sure God?" So, yes I can say "No" and I have....many, many times.
But...
When tragedy comes with absolutely no explanation, no answers to why, I have one of two choices:
#1 - What loving God would allow this to happen? If he truly loves me and desires good for me he wouldn't allow such awful circumstances. He is not my God.
#2 - God, I don't know what you're doing. But your word tells me that you work ALL things for good for those who love you. You say I've been called according to your purpose. Now what?
Two ways to respond....only two.....REJECT - I won't follow a God who allowed such horrific tragedy to befall me and my family.....
or - ACCEPT - God knows what I don't. He can see what I can't. I'm going to trust him to work it all out for his glory and my good.
I have a unique perspective now. I can look back. Having chosen option #2 I can't deny that God is working a tragic situation into good for his kingdom. I would have never seen it unfolding the way it has. But he did! See, he knows my future.
I can tell you I would never have written it, anywhere close, to how it's been written. I certainly would not be a widow! But I also couldn't have imagined actually WANTING to be obedient to his callings even when it's uncomfortable and yes, even when I don't want to.
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26
"And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
Ezekiel 36:27
Here's the truth: I'd rather be uncomfortable AND obedient than comfortable and disobedient. Simple? Not really. Doable? Absolutely!
If you don't know Christ as Savior you may be thinking I'm crazy. Dianna, you have free will! No one can force you to do anything you don't want to do. But, if you have accepted Christ as Lord and have the Holy Spirit indwelling you, there is a desire to please God, not man. And that is where I'm at.
Easy? Actually no! The changes he's calling me to make me sad. He's calling me out of very familiar, wonderful places into really wonderful unfamiliar places. Yes, really wonderful places just not my choices...or comfort zone. And change? Who likes change? While he's stretching me I need to draw on his power, his strength, his wisdom, his courage, his love, his provision.....so that I may declare the praises of him who called me out of darkness into his wonderful light.
God, I don't know what you're doing. But, I DO know it's for my good and your glory. Lord, I'm nervous, I'm uncomfortable. Help me to rest in you. Help me to remember what I do know. You are good all the time.
"You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees."
Psalm 119:68
Help me to hold fast and walk so close to you that I rely on your every foot step. I don't have to know all the details. I just have to say, "YES!" So, YES Lord, you lead and I will follow and the most precious moments will be of you and not of my own power.
Have a beautiful day!
Be the hands and feet of Jesus.







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