At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is simple obedience and Faith in Him…
The Command
I recently got a message, actually a command from God to "Stand Firm" on a particular issue. I asked how long and he was silent (of course). I accepted, not knowing how long I would be asked to do this, not knowing the purpose, just knowing I was to stand firm, to be there, to just remain, to not change direction, to stay focused.
My Analysis...
Since then I have analyzed that command from every angle possible and finally I stopped and let it go. The enemy wants us to be double-minded. God wants us to be focused and firm. So, the best advice I've ever been given is that when unsure and no matter how much time has passed, return to the last command you were given.
My human logic wants to analyze every angle of His command, it could be complex, it could be simple. I won't know until God shows me. I just have to be flexible, responsive and committed to God's work and guidance. Maybe I'm writing this because someone else out there needs to hear it. Only God knows.
God's Perspective
I won't truly know the answer until time has passed and I can look back in hindsight and see God's purpose.
He has shown me so many times how he has woven the events of my life into this patchwork quilt which when examined closely looks completely erratic and messy, but when you step back to God's perspective, it's quite beautiful.
This is how He works and sometimes time has to pass and you need enough distance from it in order to be able to look back through His eyes and see what He did with you during that time and for what purpose. God is efficient. He uses everything. There is purpose in everything.
The Moral of the Story
A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.
By all means exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves them.
(Borrowed from http://www.turnbacktogod.com/story-push-against-the-rock/)
The Command
I recently got a message, actually a command from God to "Stand Firm" on a particular issue. I asked how long and he was silent (of course). I accepted, not knowing how long I would be asked to do this, not knowing the purpose, just knowing I was to stand firm, to be there, to just remain, to not change direction, to stay focused.
My Analysis...
Since then I have analyzed that command from every angle possible and finally I stopped and let it go. The enemy wants us to be double-minded. God wants us to be focused and firm. So, the best advice I've ever been given is that when unsure and no matter how much time has passed, return to the last command you were given.
My human logic wants to analyze every angle of His command, it could be complex, it could be simple. I won't know until God shows me. I just have to be flexible, responsive and committed to God's work and guidance. Maybe I'm writing this because someone else out there needs to hear it. Only God knows.
God's Perspective
I won't truly know the answer until time has passed and I can look back in hindsight and see God's purpose.
He has shown me so many times how he has woven the events of my life into this patchwork quilt which when examined closely looks completely erratic and messy, but when you step back to God's perspective, it's quite beautiful.
This is how He works and sometimes time has to pass and you need enough distance from it in order to be able to look back through His eyes and see what He did with you during that time and for what purpose. God is efficient. He uses everything. There is purpose in everything.
The Moral of the Story
A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.
This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing it with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Noticing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s weary mind. “You have been pushing against this rock for a long time, and it hasn’t budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it.” Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These troubling thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. “Why kill myself over this?” I’ll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough.
And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his thoughts to the Lord. “Lord” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even been able to budge that rock. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”
The Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, When I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so?”
“Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard.
Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.
Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock.”
Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have.
Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock.”
By all means exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves them.
(Borrowed from http://www.turnbacktogod.com/story-push-against-the-rock/)
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I hope this blesses you as it blessed me.
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