I found a quote by R.C. Sproul today. He said, "It is one thing to believe in God; it is quite another to believe God." I couldn't agree more. As a free thinking people, we always risk the temptation of trying to control our own lives, reasoning out our circumstances, then coming up with clever solutions--- often with only a secondary thought of consulting the Lord for guidance.
"My life could be so much more successful if I would only___"
"I'm ruining my future by____"
"If I could only get the hang of____"
This general train of thought ("If only I") presents the problem of elevating myself to the position of a "make or break" solution for success, when in reality only God is able to assume that position. He has predestined me to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29), and nothing I do or don't do will destroy that blessed promise. That is a comforting thought!
"The heart of man devises his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Prov. 16:9
As a child of God, I have learned that I must have faith that all circumstances are working together for the good of our Heavenly Father's ultimate plan. This goes for all of us who are His children. Though I am a strong believer in being vigilant (1 Pet. 5:8), steadfast (1 Cor. 5:58), and circumspect (Eph. 5:15), there are many situations that are simply out of our control and must be given over to prayer and trust.
For example, some time ago I was deeply burdened over the loss of a few of my piano students. I didn't understand why it seemed, over the course of a couple weeks, I was losing the opportunity to teach children I'd spent years instructing (I now suspect leaving my old Church was most likely behind this). I mulled over this problem, assuming my lack of ability and competence was behind the whole ordeal. After wasting much time in anxiety I finally committed it to prayer, and I felt the simple instructions in my heart, "Do your best with what I have given you now. Trust me with the rest."
And so I did. Over the next month I received a few phonecalls and emails expressing interest in my teaching. I was able to take on five more students. I understood then, ashamed and rejoicing, that God had the situation under control the entire time.
My prayer right now is that God would grant me the faith to trust Him, even when there is no clear direction or solution in sight. As Nahum 1:7 says, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him."
Jeremiah 17:7, "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."
If our God has the ability to create the world in 6 days, shine new life in the heart of a dead man, and part the Red Sea for the entire nation of Israel, we can believe that He can be trusted with the smallest and largest affairs of our lives.
If our God has the ability to create the world in 6 days, shine new life in the heart of a dead man, and part the Red Sea for the entire nation of Israel, we can believe that He can be trusted with the smallest and largest affairs of our lives.
