Adandoning Ourselves to God

Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest said, “To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all of our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring.” As humans, it is our natural proclivity to cling onto what we can plan and control, but in doing so we miss out on growing in faith and encountering God’s best for our lives. God calls us to seek Him as little children and to trust Him. When we build this sort of relationship with God, life can be full of what Chambers calls "spontaneous, joyful certainty and expectancy."

In whatever role we have in our lives as Christians, parents, or spouses, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has called us to step out in faith, believing in His goodness as we serve His will and follow His leading in our lives. As Chambers explains, “We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.” Indeed, we are guaranteed surprises in abandoning ourselves to the Lord, but in it we so often find His plans are much greater than we ever could have planned for ourselves. We can only fully experience the glory of God and the richness of His plans when we relinquish our hopes and our plans to Him whether that be about a project at work, a prayer for a family member, or a future endeavor. There are many uncertainties in life, but of one thing we can be certain: God is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23:
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."

Reflection:

1. Is there anything in your life you have not entrusted to God?
2. What does it mean to fully cast your cares, burdens, hopes, and dreams on the Lord?
3. What is the difference between trusting in your beliefs and trusting in Jesus?

Borrowing God's sunglasses

I was at a zoomba Latin dance class tonight and it was an interesting experience to say the least. At one point we were all gyrating in a circular conga line and the instructor was in the middle flipping her hair about and dancing like she was on fire.

For half the class I was frustrated that the instructor wasn't keeping with the beat and was so hard to follow. And as I copied her half-belly dance, half-step aerobic moves, I felt God ask me to take another look at her through His eyes. Then I noticed her smile, saw her sincerely jovial nature, how much fun she was having, and that she was comfortable in her own skin. I could learn a thing or two from this woman. Dare I say, I started to have a good time hopping around like a fool, laughing at myself and looking at these women the way God saw them.

It made me think- how often am I in a hurry, preoccupied or just plain so self-conscious that I miss out on who people really are and how God sees them? It's so much easier to love others or grant them grace or compassion when you look at them through God's eyes. You put yourself in their shoes, you see their struggles, their hopes, their faults and the bits about them which are intrinsically unique. It grows tolerance and appreciation for others. It brings friendship, love and joy to the most unexpected places.

My prayer is that God grants me the patience and wisdom to see His people as He does, and the heart to love them as Jesus did. I sure would want others to extend me that kind of grace, wouldn't you?

"When you judge someone, you have no time to love them." -Mother Teresa