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Thoughts for a Woman's Heart |
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encouragement in things that matter |
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My Way or God’s?
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I marvel at today’s technology. Six ladies from our Bible study group climbed into a van on our way to a monthly luncheon. Being the last one in, I turned in my seat to grab the handle of the side door and slide it shut. At least, that is what I attempted to do. The door seemed to have a mind of its own as it stubbornly resisted my futile efforts. Sensing my frustration, and my embarrassment – I mean, what skill level, energy level, or even muscular development does it take to close a door? – our driver nonchalantly clicked a button. The power sliding door effortlessly glided and securely shut. I was impressed, but it made me think – how often do I put all my effort into doing things my way instead of God’s way? Insisting on doing so, it’s easy to become frustrated, or worse, really make a mess of things. Abraham was not a quick learner. God had already promised Abraham great blessings. After seeing the land God had promised his offspring, Abraham went down to Egypt to wait out a famine. Concerned for his own safety as well as his wife’s protection, Abraham replaces his trust in God with a lie. He repeats the same deception later, on another occasion. Both times, Abraham "really made a mess of things." One of God’s promised blessings to Abraham was that he would have his own son. Again, he tries to work things out himself, and instead of waiting on God, he takes the suggestion of his wife, Sarai, and conceives a child with his wife’s Egyptian maid. More messes. I am usually very aware of when I am insisting on doing things my own way. I ignore the quiet voice of God’s Spirit and actually sense the stubborn planting of my own will. God’s good though at breaking my stubbornness, and my will is softened to a submissiveness to God’s better way. Most of us know what we should do or how we should respond in a given situation. Choosing to willingly do it God’s way is the hard part. Perhaps we should all remember the car door. Replacing my own futile efforts with a trust in God and a determination to find His better way doesn’t always eliminate my frustrations or disappointments with life, but God’s promises for me do offer that walkable path in the security of His presence. |
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— Bev |
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