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You know it's interesting, how we all seek words, confirmations from
God.
...Myself included.
Anything that will give us some kind
of certainty, in a very uncertain
world. About situations, decisions, in our lives of importance to us.
...Not that this is a bad thing by any means. On the contrary, this
is a good thing! And very understandable.
But
because of our past hurts, experiences, we are not willing to take a chance on anything. So even in our desire to seek God's
guidance.
...We can doubt Him, even when
He answers us!
This goes for most anything, and sometimes everything important in our lives. Relationships, jobs, opportunities,
where to live. What career to pursue, etc. Whatever it may be. Often times, we are not willing to take chances. Open our hearts
to new things, or to other people.
Fearful that we might be hurt (...again) perhaps?
And this is so
sad! Especially with the blessings God has given us. Or wants to give us.When
we are not willing to open our hearts up to them. We never truly can receive them!
Why? Because in order for us to receive them. We have to fully open our
hearts to them.
In other words it would be much like going to watch a movie. One that
you really have wanted to
see for a long time. In fact as far as your
concerned. It's the movie (or could be the movie) to "end all movies".
But
your just not sure about it, fearful it might not meet your
expectations. After all, this is what your past experiences
(i.e.
"disappointments") have taught you. So you wonder, "should I go, or
shouldn't I?"
So after much thought you decide to go anyway. But your still afraid. You
do not want to open yourself up to the possibility that it could be really good. Because of all the disappointments of
the past. So instead of watching it with your eyes open. You watch it with your eyes closed!
So how much would you enjoy it? After all, even if it were a
good movie.
The best you had ever seen. To "end all movies". You never would fully enjoy it. Why? Because your eyes are closed! So you
never
really enjoy it, in all it's fullness. Because you never opened
yourself up to it fully!
And that is exactly what
we do in our lives when we are never willing to take chances. When we are never willing to fully open our hearts!
Now,
does mean taking chances and, "throwing caution to the wind"? Of course not!
If something does not line up with God's word, there should be a "caution" sign for us! We should make wise decisions (Proverbs
8:33). We should be led by God (John 16:13, 2 Cor. 5:7).
You see God guides us, and He offers us blessings that are right in
front of us. As we go through this life. But often times we are not willing to step out, or receive them because of our fears!
And
so many of us approach our whole lives this way. In fear! We become pessimistic, waiting for bad things to happen. For a "ball
to drop". While we ask God for good things, never expecting them to happen!
So when they do come? We doubt, (and) or miss them!
You see it's truly sad when God brings us blessings that
we turn down. Because we are not willing to take a chance and trust Him. Or because we are not willing to recognize them.
But
we have to realize and remember. That despite our past experiences, God is still God!
No one has, nor could remove
Him from his throne:
"God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne."
(Psalm
47:8 NIV)
"Your throne was established long ago;
you
are from all eternity."
(Psalm
93:2 NIV)
"The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all."
(Psalm 103:19 NIV)
And if we put our trust in Him:
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't
try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all."
(Proverbs 3:5-6, 1st line of 7 from The Message)
He will not fail us:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path."
(Psalm 119:105 NKJV)
"I sought
the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears."
(Psalm 34:4 NIV)
"For this is God,
Our
God forever and ever;
He will be our guide
Even to death."
(Psalm 48:14 NKJV)
You see, we must remember
that as God's children. He wants to bless us. Lead us in this life (John
16:13). But we have to be willing to step out in faith and trust Him!
You see we forget that the Maker and the Creator
of this universe is our Father! And like any father that truly loves his children, He wants to give us good things:
“You
parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a
fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."
(Matthew 7:9-11 NLT)
But the question for all of us, myself included, is this. Are we going
to trust in the sovereignty of God. Or the "lack of" sovereignty of man?
You see we all have past experiences that have hurt and scarred us. But we should never allow those things to dictate
our future!
Now, we may need to be healed from those things that can still affect us. Especially if they "paralyze" our lives, life
decisions (for more info click here: The Pain of Brokenness). But we should never take those experiences and let them rob us of God's blessings and guidance in our lives.
So
if you struggle at times, or your struggling now? About an important decision in your life, or you are asking His guidance
in a situation.
Remember this, God is still God, He is still sovereign, and He will never forsake you!
"Be strong and
of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave
you nor forsake you."
(Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV)
You see, for those of us that have been hurt deeply in the past. For us, the question we usually
ask ourselves is this, "can I risk being hurt?", "can I risk failing?".
But the question needs to be, "do I trust that God is still sovereign, He is in control, that He has my back?"
You see the One who controls the universe now, is still the same One who created it! And we must ALWAYS remember this:
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I
will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the
earth!"
(Psalm 46:10 NKJV)
And if we are His? Than nothing and no one can harm us:
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never
perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”
(John 10:27-30 NKJV)
So ask yourself today. Do I want to trust in the sovereignty of God. Or continue to trust in the lack of sovereignty
of man?
You see it's really your choice!
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