Our house was full during the Memorial Day weekend. All three of our grown kids were here. Plus two spouses, one fiance, and our 3-year-old grandson. It was fun. It was special. It was exhausting.
We cooked, we swam, we played games, we made homemade ice cream. And we taught Micah how to “play” dominoes. The first time around, he didn’t quite get the hang of it.
But the second time, he not only began to catch on, he was also amazed at the results.
The way Micah “helped” the dominoes fall reminded me of how I sometimes try to “help” God work in and around my life. Instead of allowing Him to work in His way and His timing, I try to force things to happen.
I’m not saying we don’t do anything, ever. Often there are steps of obedience God asks us to take. But there’s a difference between following God’s leading and hurrying out ahead of Him. Sometimes we get so tired of waiting or are so anxious to see things happen a certain way we rush forward, knocking down all the dominoes ourselves.
So here’s a challenge for all of us: Instead of running ahead of God to make things happen under our own power and will, let’s take our hands off and watch Him do what only He can do. The results will be far more amazing!
I’d love to hear about a time you allowed God to work in a situation and the results were amazing!
You’re right that God isn’t asking us to be totally passive, but striking that balance can be so tricky. In my life I’ve swung to both extremes of trying to “help” and giving up, but when I ask God what He’s doing and how I can join Him in that, I like a true daughter working side by side with my Abba.
Thank you Hannah for sharing your own experience. I love your picture of walking alongside God as a daughter!
I love this Kathy because patience does not come easy to me. I can think of many times I tried to run ahead of God & make things happen in my life. I can say from learning the hard way I only succeeded in making a mess of things & God in His graciousness cleaned up my messes! When I got so sick I couldn’t run ahead. Finally I sat back & watched the power of God work and I am alive & very grateful thanks to Him!!!
Donna, thank you so much for sharing your experience. Your life is a testimony to the glory of God!