Within the last year or so, I've been set straight on what it means to truly love and to trust. Simply put, neither of these things, in their truest sense, is rooted in emotion. Love is a choice, and trust is a choice. Love is demonstrated by choosing to be a servant, and trust is demonstrated by obedience. God demonstrated these with absolute perfection in the life of His Son Jesus. He took on human flesh and dwelt among us, not as one with authority, but as a servant to others. He demonstrated absolute obedience in His life, His ministry, and ultimately in His death.
We, as saved sinners, are at odds with our own self-serving human nature. There is always something we want, purely for ourselves, that may not be aligned with God's will for us. God gives us the power to overcome our own infirmities through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but to tap into that power, we must submit to Him. We must listen to the Spirit's prompting and ignore our own selfish desires. It is a choice to be a servant, and it is obedience to One greater than ourselves. That develops within us our love for God, and it enhances our trust in Him.
Today, I learned another way to show love and trust in my God - honesty in prayer. I was reminded that He is not interested in the same old platitudes that many of us quote back to Him when we pray. You can't impress God with anything you say to Him in prayer, and trying to impress others as you pray is hypocrisy, which Jesus strongly rebuked. He already knows who He is, and He already knows our needs and our motivations. In prayer, He simply desires honesty and humility from us. He desires great intimacy with us in prayer.
As I consider the challenges that the next few months will bring, I am drawn ever closer to Him in prayer. I am reminded of who He is when I admit that I can't do things on my own. It feels so liberating to confess doubt, unwillingness, and selfishness. It is extremely humbling to simply ask, "please", as I plead for His courage, His strength, and His wisdom. As I empty myself of what I want for my life, and as I ask Him to guide me into what He wants for my life, I find a peace that comes only through such intimacy with the Lord.
Have you been honest with the Lord lately? Do you ask for His will to be done, then say "no, thank you" when you find out what His will is? When was the last time you said to Him,"I'm not willing, but I'm willing to be made willing?" When was the last time you simply said "please" to God? Remember, He knows your heart better than you do. He knows what you want, but better than that, He knows what you need. The next time you pray, show respect to your Creator, your Provider, and your Redeemer. Be honest with Him.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" - Jeremiah 17:9
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." - James 4:10
We, as saved sinners, are at odds with our own self-serving human nature. There is always something we want, purely for ourselves, that may not be aligned with God's will for us. God gives us the power to overcome our own infirmities through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but to tap into that power, we must submit to Him. We must listen to the Spirit's prompting and ignore our own selfish desires. It is a choice to be a servant, and it is obedience to One greater than ourselves. That develops within us our love for God, and it enhances our trust in Him.
Today, I learned another way to show love and trust in my God - honesty in prayer. I was reminded that He is not interested in the same old platitudes that many of us quote back to Him when we pray. You can't impress God with anything you say to Him in prayer, and trying to impress others as you pray is hypocrisy, which Jesus strongly rebuked. He already knows who He is, and He already knows our needs and our motivations. In prayer, He simply desires honesty and humility from us. He desires great intimacy with us in prayer.
As I consider the challenges that the next few months will bring, I am drawn ever closer to Him in prayer. I am reminded of who He is when I admit that I can't do things on my own. It feels so liberating to confess doubt, unwillingness, and selfishness. It is extremely humbling to simply ask, "please", as I plead for His courage, His strength, and His wisdom. As I empty myself of what I want for my life, and as I ask Him to guide me into what He wants for my life, I find a peace that comes only through such intimacy with the Lord.
Have you been honest with the Lord lately? Do you ask for His will to be done, then say "no, thank you" when you find out what His will is? When was the last time you said to Him,"I'm not willing, but I'm willing to be made willing?" When was the last time you simply said "please" to God? Remember, He knows your heart better than you do. He knows what you want, but better than that, He knows what you need. The next time you pray, show respect to your Creator, your Provider, and your Redeemer. Be honest with Him.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" - Jeremiah 17:9
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." - James 4:10
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