Who do you trust?
OK, I started writing this 2 weeks ago, and it's finally posted. After some fantastic discussion over the past few weeks, I'm curious to see how many of us really walk our talk.
Have you ever been given specific advice or instructions, then “modified” it a bit to suit your wants or needs? After all, can’t you do things your own way and still be OK? Not always. How did those blinders get there? We do it in various situations at work, we do it in relationships and we do it with our health. How’s that workin’ for ya?
As I type with pain, stiffness and a splint on my wrist, I’m reminded of how this hits home in so many other areas of my life and for others around me. I heard the doc’s orders, then “generally” followed them – but not to the letter, really doing what was necessary to fully heal. If I can still do some things with only minimal pain and/or consequences, what’s the harm? In some cases, plenty.
Now I need to lay down something that means a great deal to me – at least for a while. 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”
A couple of weeks ago we had a discussion about worship. Some people are so caught up in various components that they forget the whole purpose of worship. It’s not about the music, the lesson, the format or the preacher, it’s about a relationship with God and how we offer ourselves as living sacrifices – all for His glory, and not just a “feel good” session for ourselves. Sound churchy? Well, maybe so, but it’s SO true that there’s really no other way to describe it.
Back to Samuel. Just because we make sacrifices, doesn’t mean that our heart is in it. Many people do things for appearances (think of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in the temple). I’m now required to lay a gift on the altar as both a sacrifice and an act of obedience. (The obedience part is not picking it back up again until I get an “all clear” from God.)
OK, so if this is a gift, why would I be required to lay that down? Maybe because it’s in the way. When I play, I am sharing a gift, and that’s how I worship, but in our discussion a few weeks ago, I realized that I do hang on to specific components in certain worship services. If the music’s not good (or non-existent), it can hinder my ability to really get into the worship. I know other musicians who feel the same way, but this is not their test, it’s mine. Last week we talked about slowing down and taking the time to spend WITH Him (not just doing things FOR Him). For an ADHD, that's not the easiest thing to do. During this time, however, I’m sensing the question, “Do you trust Me to heal you? Really?”
How many times do we try to negotiate with God? He’s given us numerous examples so we don’t have to keep making our own mistakes. Why is it so hard to listen? Why is it so hard to follow someone else’s lead? Why do we have to be in total control? Why can’t we trust the hand of the Master?
Are you holding on to something that is hindering you in some area? Why not let it go? Just lay it down – whatever it is that prevents you from trusting God absolutely – put it on the altar of sacrifice and don’t pick it up again. As Rick Warren noted a few weeks back, "the problem with living sacrifices is that they (we) can crawl off the altar." When we trust God, and give our hurts, pains and trials completely over to Him, He will perfect us into something beyond compare.
As I go through this time of trial, I ask for your prayers, and deep inside I know that everything is going to be just fine. I can hardly wait to see what’s in store. Do I trust Him? YES - Absolutely.
Have you ever been given specific advice or instructions, then “modified” it a bit to suit your wants or needs? After all, can’t you do things your own way and still be OK? Not always. How did those blinders get there? We do it in various situations at work, we do it in relationships and we do it with our health. How’s that workin’ for ya?
As I type with pain, stiffness and a splint on my wrist, I’m reminded of how this hits home in so many other areas of my life and for others around me. I heard the doc’s orders, then “generally” followed them – but not to the letter, really doing what was necessary to fully heal. If I can still do some things with only minimal pain and/or consequences, what’s the harm? In some cases, plenty.
Now I need to lay down something that means a great deal to me – at least for a while. 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”
A couple of weeks ago we had a discussion about worship. Some people are so caught up in various components that they forget the whole purpose of worship. It’s not about the music, the lesson, the format or the preacher, it’s about a relationship with God and how we offer ourselves as living sacrifices – all for His glory, and not just a “feel good” session for ourselves. Sound churchy? Well, maybe so, but it’s SO true that there’s really no other way to describe it.
Back to Samuel. Just because we make sacrifices, doesn’t mean that our heart is in it. Many people do things for appearances (think of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in the temple). I’m now required to lay a gift on the altar as both a sacrifice and an act of obedience. (The obedience part is not picking it back up again until I get an “all clear” from God.)
OK, so if this is a gift, why would I be required to lay that down? Maybe because it’s in the way. When I play, I am sharing a gift, and that’s how I worship, but in our discussion a few weeks ago, I realized that I do hang on to specific components in certain worship services. If the music’s not good (or non-existent), it can hinder my ability to really get into the worship. I know other musicians who feel the same way, but this is not their test, it’s mine. Last week we talked about slowing down and taking the time to spend WITH Him (not just doing things FOR Him). For an ADHD, that's not the easiest thing to do. During this time, however, I’m sensing the question, “Do you trust Me to heal you? Really?”
How many times do we try to negotiate with God? He’s given us numerous examples so we don’t have to keep making our own mistakes. Why is it so hard to listen? Why is it so hard to follow someone else’s lead? Why do we have to be in total control? Why can’t we trust the hand of the Master?
Are you holding on to something that is hindering you in some area? Why not let it go? Just lay it down – whatever it is that prevents you from trusting God absolutely – put it on the altar of sacrifice and don’t pick it up again. As Rick Warren noted a few weeks back, "the problem with living sacrifices is that they (we) can crawl off the altar." When we trust God, and give our hurts, pains and trials completely over to Him, He will perfect us into something beyond compare.
As I go through this time of trial, I ask for your prayers, and deep inside I know that everything is going to be just fine. I can hardly wait to see what’s in store. Do I trust Him? YES - Absolutely.
2 Comments:
I have similar experiences, as recent as today! I trust God and yet my emotions run right over what I know I should do. And maybe that's why God looks at the heart so much. My heart should be all about Him. I should seek Him first and foremost. Yet, when I'm angry or hurt... my heart causes me to go back to my habits of control or "fixing" the problem. I (key word here) want to fix it instead of trusting God to fix whatever the situation is in His time and manner.
Then I start to pray for what it is that I want or how I think it ought to occur instead of asking God what needs to happen or what I should do if anything. My emotions generally cause me to be self-centered. But even in the midst of all that me-ness, God is gracious and merciful. He hears my prayers and He moves in my life. I know in my heart of hearts that it's undeserved. At those moments, I know how much He loves me and it's humbling. My emotions cool down...and I focus and I try to be the person God made me to be...the person that Jesus teaches me to be...the person that the Holy Spirit leads me to be. I repent for my selfishness and spend time seeking His ways in His Word. I get rid of the noise of my life and seek His voice. I put aside me as much as I can and try to love others as He loves me. I give up trying to control my life and offer it to Him - the creator of the universe.
I wish I could say I've gotten better over the years. In some ways, I have. Yet, I've noticed that in certain matters of the heart....I haven't learned yet. So by God's grace I continue to try knowing that even then, God walks with me.
By hhobbss, At September 27, 2007 4:55 PM
I can understand how emotions get in the way of trusting God. Whenever I get anxious about something or thinking that something awful will happen I try to somehow fix my situation so that I will have the desired outcome. What happens though is that I usually make the situation worse than what it was. It is hard to "Let go and Let God" especially if you relied only yourself for many years.
By Inner-G, At September 28, 2007 5:45 PM
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