In those moments, when we find ourselves completely helpless to change the cards we've suddenly been dealt and lost somewhere in the psychological stages grief, we instinctively resort to calling out to the heavens for aid. As if we've rifled through all the pages of our logic and reason built up over the years, found nothing of use, retreated to our subconscious attic in desperation and dusted off that last glimmer of faith that once rested on our nightstand. All of the sudden we're making bargains with God - pledging to change our ways, offering to give up some addiction or forgive that life-long grudge - if just this once He would come through.
I think we've grown so accustomed to having all the power to control our destinies that when the security blanket is yanked out from under us and everything we're clinging to is crumbling like dead leaves we have to come face to face with our utter inadequacy to deliver ourselves from the hands of fate. It is then that we finally decide to grasp for the Savior's hand that's been extended all along.That's what I find humorous about humans. Underneath all of personalities and opinions - at the core of a person's being - is someone crying out for a savior just as much as me. It's just a matter of what it takes for that desire to come out. This helps me make so much more sense of verses like this...
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. ~Romans 1:20
The question I pose then is: what if prayer switched from being our last resort to our first resort? What if prayer became our natural reaction to any kind of conflict or problem?
I'll tell you one thing, we would have a lot better perspective. Prayer gets you out of just thinking about yourself and gets you to see things through heaven's eyes, which is a pretty amazing vantage point from which to view life. Even when you're stuck in the valley, that perspective can help you see things for what they are and suddenly the light at the end of the tunnel becomes the light in the tunnel.
I also think our breakthrough would come sooner. A healthy routine of prayer could help us avoid these situations getting to code red status or even prevent them altogether. Kind of like vehicle maintenance; keep up on your oil changes your vehicle will run more smoothly.
When Moses was leading the Israelites to the Promised Land they wandered the desert for 40 years when that trek should have only taken days to get where they needed to go. 40 years for a trip that should have taken days!! I'm convinced they could have avoided those four decades of trials and tribulations had they prayed attention to what God was trying to teach them from the get-go. The frailty of their faith was holding them back from their promised land. I think that is the same for some of us.See God is jealous for our hearts when we are placing our faith in anything but him. Like a good father, he will allow his kids to learn their lessons the hard way if the posture of their heart is bent on themselves. Just like grades and classes in school, you'll repeat the same life lesson over and over until you pass and only then will you be able to proceed into your future.
Pray attention to what God is trying to tell you today. Lean not on your own understanding, which is bound to lead you astray, but trust in Him with all your heart and allow him to set the course to your destiny.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
~Proverbs 3:5-6
No comments:
Post a Comment