Trusting God

"In order to know God's will there must be a willingness to do it. Imagine a door in the path ahead of us. God's will is on the other side of that door. We crave to know what that is. Will God show us what's on the other side of that door? No. Why not? Because we have to resolve an issue on this side of the door first. If He is Lord, He has the right to determine what's on the other side of hte door. If we don't afford Him that right, then we are not acknowledging Him as Lord.

Why do we want to know what's on the other side of the door? Isn't it because we want to reserve the right to determine whether or not we will go through it? Some boldly walk halfway through, but keep their foot in the door just in case they don't like what they see and want to go back. It's going to be awfully hard to continue walking with God if your foot is stuck in the door. Jesus said, "No one putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

One man probably spoke for many when he said, "I'm so used to running my own life. I'm not sure I even can or want to trust someone else. Besides, God would probably haul me off to some mission field I can't stand" What we need to realize is that if we did give our heart to the Lord, and God did call us to that mission field, by the time we got there we wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Do you believe that the will of God is good, acceptable and perfect for you? That's the heart of the issue.
From Walking in the Light by Neil Anderson

James 4 was the reading this morning.

So many thoughts in the first ten verses! Motivation is a key component. What's my motivation? Not what I think it is - but my real motivation? I know what I want my motivation to be, but is that always my driving force? I want to serve God; want to be used by Him; want to love others the way He does. But the harsh reality is I am a very selfish person. I think about my time, my energy, my priorities, my schedule, my lists, my... The list can go on. But because Christ lives in me, and as I draw near to Him, the gentle (sometimes not so gentle) reminders about my motivations is a recurring theme. Aware that my human nature is selfish, but I've been given a new nature. Releasing my hold and control and replacing it with His. A daily (sometimes hourly) process of checks and balances - of noting who is in control, of who I serve, of who I follow.


There are always doors before us. Sometimes we choose not to move forward becuase the fear of the unknown is greater than the ability to follow Him anywhere. Sometimes we get a glimpse of what could be, so we peek through the windows - desiring what is behind the door, but never turning the knob. And sometimes, like the devo illustrates, we actually make it through the door, but keep one foot in our comfort zone, holding on to our own escape just in case. But those times we, those times I, really let go and move forward in simple faith that God has my best interests and His kingdom purpose in mind - what an amazing adventure to be a part of! What a privelege and honor to be used by Him.


There is such a freedom in His grace; in His will. When I'm not fully relying on Him I feel such a burden! So it's curious why I still struggle with letting go.