Jeremiah 10:23-24 (NLT)
23 I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. 24 So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.
I absolutely love this prayer! There are several reasons why, but the primary reason is because I can relate to it so well. It sounds familiar to one that I often spoke through a long season in life that was once full of trials and tribulations. These challenges were overcome by nothing other than His hand of protection and divine intervention.
Over time, He continually reminds me that my life is not my own. He created me with a purpose! What I want and what I need are often two very different things. I need to be prepared and refined for what He has called and created me to do. The refining process is never one that comes without pain. I know that even during the heat of preparation there is purpose; Hence, the "be gentle" part.
Through the years He has continuously revealed His might and strength, while proving to me that He can do all things. Each time He sticks me in the furnace, my faith grows and the natural tendency of wanting to ask "why?" increasingly fades away and the question of "what?" takes its place. What do you want me to learn? What are you trying to reveal to me, Lord? What do you want me to do? As Jeremiah said, "We are not able to plan our own course”. If I can't plan it, I'm much better off trying to stay on it rather than figure it out.
A roller coaster comes to mind. Once the commitment is made, you are buckled in and the ride starts. It is typically followed by a process of being hoisted up a hill only to be followed by a swift and fast paced ride with unexpected turns, twist, loops. I love to ride roller coasters as well as watch other people ride them. They make countless different expressions as they ride. Some ride with shouts of joy and excitement while others ride with shouts of fear. Some people close their eyes and hold on for their life, while others take in every second of the journey with their eyes wide open. Often lifting their hands with excitement and anticipation of what is still to come.
Like a roller coaster, once the journey begins there is no getting off until the ride is over. I can't control what happens, but I can control how I react to it. There is so much freedom in knowing God is in complete control! Perhaps, the most challenging part of a challenging situation is realizing that we are not in control. Once we get past the realization that we are not in control, we then can focus on spending time talking to the One who is.
Father,
Thank You for squeezing us gently. Thank You for continuing to mold us, shape us, and correct us. Thank You for never casting us aside, but instead, continuing to refine us out of your unfailing love. Thank You for not allowing us to become content or idle. Thank You for continuing to pursue us and challenge us to become the salt of the earth that You created us to be. We love you Lord! Amen.
23 I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. 24 So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.
I absolutely love this prayer! There are several reasons why, but the primary reason is because I can relate to it so well. It sounds familiar to one that I often spoke through a long season in life that was once full of trials and tribulations. These challenges were overcome by nothing other than His hand of protection and divine intervention.
Over time, He continually reminds me that my life is not my own. He created me with a purpose! What I want and what I need are often two very different things. I need to be prepared and refined for what He has called and created me to do. The refining process is never one that comes without pain. I know that even during the heat of preparation there is purpose; Hence, the "be gentle" part.
Through the years He has continuously revealed His might and strength, while proving to me that He can do all things. Each time He sticks me in the furnace, my faith grows and the natural tendency of wanting to ask "why?" increasingly fades away and the question of "what?" takes its place. What do you want me to learn? What are you trying to reveal to me, Lord? What do you want me to do? As Jeremiah said, "We are not able to plan our own course”. If I can't plan it, I'm much better off trying to stay on it rather than figure it out.
A roller coaster comes to mind. Once the commitment is made, you are buckled in and the ride starts. It is typically followed by a process of being hoisted up a hill only to be followed by a swift and fast paced ride with unexpected turns, twist, loops. I love to ride roller coasters as well as watch other people ride them. They make countless different expressions as they ride. Some ride with shouts of joy and excitement while others ride with shouts of fear. Some people close their eyes and hold on for their life, while others take in every second of the journey with their eyes wide open. Often lifting their hands with excitement and anticipation of what is still to come.
Like a roller coaster, once the journey begins there is no getting off until the ride is over. I can't control what happens, but I can control how I react to it. There is so much freedom in knowing God is in complete control! Perhaps, the most challenging part of a challenging situation is realizing that we are not in control. Once we get past the realization that we are not in control, we then can focus on spending time talking to the One who is.
Father,
Thank You for squeezing us gently. Thank You for continuing to mold us, shape us, and correct us. Thank You for never casting us aside, but instead, continuing to refine us out of your unfailing love. Thank You for not allowing us to become content or idle. Thank You for continuing to pursue us and challenge us to become the salt of the earth that You created us to be. We love you Lord! Amen.