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.
