As we try to control our environment, circumstances, relationships, and ourselves we interfere with the God's will for us. God's sets our path. It's our job to listen to what he has to say, and display obedience through following what he lays out for us regardless of how it makes us feel, which at times can be discomfort. When we choose to do things according to our will and become our own God, the results can be unpleasant. God can restore what we destroy.
How often do we think we have control over our lives? How many times have you said, "But if I do this, maybe it will result in that?" "If I just hold onto my will a little longer, if it doesn't work, then I will listen to God?" I hate to tell you, it doesn't work that way. You can't bargain with God. We can't pick and choose when and what parts we want to obey. As a good friend wrote in a school paper recently, we can't use him like a vending machine.
Being obedient has been a long hard lesson to learn, and today I still struggle with it, honestly, I always will. Trying to control my own life has resulted in heartache and loss. First of all, I can't control anything or anyone. I can't change anyone and to think I have the power to do so, results in prideful thinking and behavior. I can only control my choices to do or not to do, I control my will.
Often God calls, speaks, opens and closes doors and it's by my choice, my free will that I either submit to him or choose my way. When I choose God, I find peace and contentment in my circumstances, good or bad. When I choose mine, I may receive temporary gratification, but typically it doesn't last for long.
Are there times I choose God's will kicking and screaming? Absolutely.
In the last two months, I endured heartache of a loss of a loved one. My loss was not a physical loss, meaning a death, but the loss of an old nature and as well as the loss of giving up control of my circumstances. As the old ways died (thoughts and behaviors) I grieved. Once we accept the illusion that we never had control in the first place, it becomes more bearable to accept. Once I gave up and surrendered to God again, I found peace. And even though this person and I grew apart we actually were being drawn together without even knowing it.
For about a month, there wasn't any face to face contact, but only a couple short e-mail exchanges. During this time of healing, I was able to release the past hurts, and forgive myself and them. I was able to give it all over to God and as difficult the time apart was, God filled me up with His love which is the only love that will truly sustain me. Being filled with God's love is the only real way I can offer myself to others, and give them what God has freely given me.
I thank God for loving me, healing me, offering me grace and mercy each day of my life. Obedience to Him is what has gotten me to where I am today. I choose to worship Him with my whole heart. My purpose is to live for God and bring him glory. Sharing my experiences I feel I can share God's awesome love and power. A life without God is no life at all.
Today is Matthew's and my three year anniversary. Below is what I wrote to him this morning. Our relationship has flourished. In our obedience, patience, trust, faith and hope in God's will for our lives, we are joined together, ready to commit to Him and serve His purpose for His glory.
May 23, 2013 - Happy Anniversary Matthew ♥
Trials force us to put our faith in
something bigger than ourselves or another person.
Our FAITH is in God.
Obstacles motivate us to dig deep
for strength in something stronger than ourselves or another person.
Our STRENGTH is in God.
Losses invoke us to reach and
cry out toward something more comforting than ourselves or another
person.
We REACH AND CRY OUT to God.
Storms inspire hope as we clutch onto something greater than ourselves or
another person.
Our HOPE is in God.
The only way to do life together is with God as our Rock; God first and above all else.
As we build a relationship on a foundation made of rock (God), it
will withstand the trials, obstacles, losses and storms of life. We will
find peace in His presence.
As we get knocked around, beat up, tossed about and flooded with
adversities, although we feel depleted and exhausted, we remain standing,
clinging to the one who will deliver us with his faithful promise to never
abandon us but pull us into his loving arms - Our RESCUER is God.
Our
walk together is only possible
through God’s will. As we surrender to His will and build our
relationship upon Him we frame a foundation that's strong and stable in
Him. Our faith, hope and love remains in Christ's promises
and presence. Through our obedience we will be abundantly supplied with endurance to
face what is placed before us. A life and
relationship built on the Word of God withstands the storms and challenges
of life.
For Jesus teaches
that we must be wise and build our lives on a solid foundation.
“Therefore everyone
who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man
who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the
winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its
foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not
put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The
rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27
Our life together began three years ago……
We've
had amazing times
filled with laughter and new experiences. But far too often, we turned
a blind eye to the trials and storms we encountered, masking them with
empty
promises and an illusion of happiness. We deceived ourselves thinking we
were
growing closer to one other but in reality we were growing further
apart,
resulting in a painful separation from each another. We tried to control
what was out of our control but once we handed ourselves over to Him;
His will and His way, we were able to see things with a new set of eyes;
with clarity.
It’s
only by the Hand of God, that He has
reconciled us, and today we point each other upwardly toward Christ;
handing one another over into His care and trusting Him to do His will
in our lives.
Hand in hand, side by side, we walk the same
path; God leading, you and me following.
Today
we celebrate three years together. Three years of change. The most
rewarding part of these years is that it lead us back to Christ. I find
peace
and joy in my heart, anticipating the blessings that lie before us; the
adversity that will strengthen us; and the grace, love and mercy we will
receive through Jesus Christ. I am overjoyed
for this new beginning as we continue to seek God's truth, point each other toward Christ and build a
relationship with Him as the foundation in our lives – OUR ROCK♥
