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Isaiah 17:10-11
Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you. You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you. So you may plant the finest grapevines and import the most expensive seedlings. They may sprout on the day you set them out; yes, they may blossom on the very morning you plant them, but you will never pick any grapes from them. Your only harvest will be a load of grief and unrelieved pain. |
While reading this, I immediately began to think about my life, about all God has provided, and about His constant reminder to go to Him first in all things - not second, or after the fact, but FIRST! Life is oftentimes fast paced, challenging, and full of distractions and abundant blessings which can easily be taken for granted. Countless verses in the Bible tell us God cares about every detail of our life (Psalm 37:23). The Bible says He even keeps a record of our tears (Psalm 56:8).
Over the past several years, this is an area of my life that He has used to help me grow. Today, I can say with more confidence than ever before, God does provide "immeasurably more" than I could "ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20). It is natural to go to Him with the big things, but how much of our lives are really spent on "big things?" Most of us would have a slightly different answer based on our own life experiences. Personally, I would estimate that 5% of my lifetime has been spent on major life events. The rest of the time has been full of routine choices and everyday decisions. Why would I not go to Him FIRST with 95% of my life?
As I seek to continually come to Jesus in the small things, I am realizing the change isn't necessarily in the circumstances of my life; the change is in my perception of them! If I come to God at the beginning of the day and truly surrender my time to Him, I can then take heart in knowing that when challenges come (and they will come), it is an opportunity for me to learn (John 16:33). The challenges are supposed to be there!
Painting a house comes to mind. If someone is building a new house, do they complain when it is being painted? No, they likely anticipate it, knowing it will bring them one step closer to completion. Would the same person be just as excited to repaint the house they are living in now? The answer is probably not, since it would likely be viewed as a costly and time-consuming repair. While these are the same event with the same processes, the two are viewed from completely different perspectives. Perhaps it is not as much about what is being done, but rather how we view it. With Him leading, it is viewed as construction, but with us leading, it is repair.
Father,
Thank you for knowing exactly what we need even before we ask for it. Thank you for being a wonderful Counselor and perfect Teacher! Thank you for calling us, training us, and preparing us for everything that you have in store for us! Help us to rest in your presence as you continue to complete the good work you started in each of us. In Jesus mighty name we pray, amen.
Over the past several years, this is an area of my life that He has used to help me grow. Today, I can say with more confidence than ever before, God does provide "immeasurably more" than I could "ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20). It is natural to go to Him with the big things, but how much of our lives are really spent on "big things?" Most of us would have a slightly different answer based on our own life experiences. Personally, I would estimate that 5% of my lifetime has been spent on major life events. The rest of the time has been full of routine choices and everyday decisions. Why would I not go to Him FIRST with 95% of my life?
As I seek to continually come to Jesus in the small things, I am realizing the change isn't necessarily in the circumstances of my life; the change is in my perception of them! If I come to God at the beginning of the day and truly surrender my time to Him, I can then take heart in knowing that when challenges come (and they will come), it is an opportunity for me to learn (John 16:33). The challenges are supposed to be there!
Painting a house comes to mind. If someone is building a new house, do they complain when it is being painted? No, they likely anticipate it, knowing it will bring them one step closer to completion. Would the same person be just as excited to repaint the house they are living in now? The answer is probably not, since it would likely be viewed as a costly and time-consuming repair. While these are the same event with the same processes, the two are viewed from completely different perspectives. Perhaps it is not as much about what is being done, but rather how we view it. With Him leading, it is viewed as construction, but with us leading, it is repair.
Father,
Thank you for knowing exactly what we need even before we ask for it. Thank you for being a wonderful Counselor and perfect Teacher! Thank you for calling us, training us, and preparing us for everything that you have in store for us! Help us to rest in your presence as you continue to complete the good work you started in each of us. In Jesus mighty name we pray, amen.