Lord, I Need You
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
I saw a slideshow posted on Facebook called, “Reasons my kid is crying.” Each picture shows a temper tantrum that you can’t help but laugh at when you read the why behind the cry. Someone ate all the muffins (it was him), I wouldn’t let her play with dog poop, etc. I can totally relate because Maycee went through a phase of this a few months back. She didn’t understand the things I wouldn’t let her have (windex, coins, dog food in her mouth) were not good for her. She threw massive fits when I took them away. As I listened to her scream or throw herself on the ground, I wondered if I ever seem the same when I’m upset about the things I want and don’t get. God might not let me have the “thing” I want because he is protecting me. He might take things out of my hands because he has something better for me.
Recently, Maycee was walking on the raised landscaping bricks around our tree while pulling our dog on the leash. I had to stop her because it wasn’t going to end well. She couldn’t see why I would want to ruin her fun, just as I don’t always understand God’s reasons for doing things. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Likewise, I often give Maycee things that she does not want, but she needs because they are good for her; things like naps, veggies, diaper changes, and being buckled into her car seat. Maybe I also need the things I get and don’t want; stressful days at work, being overlooked, humbling growth opportunities, situations that stretch me, times when I need to stand up for myself, and day to day life with a moody teenager and toddler at the same time!
And what does the Bible say about these challenges, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”James 1:2-4 (MSG)
If I got everything I wanted and this life completely satisfied me, I wouldn’t feel the need for God in my life. This is where I’m slowly beginning to see how challenges are gifts because they keep me turning to Him. We are blessed when we realize that the the things of the world we are grasping for do not have the power to satisfy. When we don’t understand why things are the way they are, we must then rely on our faith. Hebrews 11-6 says, "Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
So through His power living within me, I will try try to understand that God can show me His love even through situations that feel hard. Maybe this is how he will reward me with what I need-more trust, reliance, patience, surrender, humility, and faith.
"I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you." Ephesians 3:17-19
Recently, Maycee was walking on the raised landscaping bricks around our tree while pulling our dog on the leash. I had to stop her because it wasn’t going to end well. She couldn’t see why I would want to ruin her fun, just as I don’t always understand God’s reasons for doing things. Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Likewise, I often give Maycee things that she does not want, but she needs because they are good for her; things like naps, veggies, diaper changes, and being buckled into her car seat. Maybe I also need the things I get and don’t want; stressful days at work, being overlooked, humbling growth opportunities, situations that stretch me, times when I need to stand up for myself, and day to day life with a moody teenager and toddler at the same time!
And what does the Bible say about these challenges, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”James 1:2-4 (MSG)
If I got everything I wanted and this life completely satisfied me, I wouldn’t feel the need for God in my life. This is where I’m slowly beginning to see how challenges are gifts because they keep me turning to Him. We are blessed when we realize that the the things of the world we are grasping for do not have the power to satisfy. When we don’t understand why things are the way they are, we must then rely on our faith. Hebrews 11-6 says, "Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
So through His power living within me, I will try try to understand that God can show me His love even through situations that feel hard. Maybe this is how he will reward me with what I need-more trust, reliance, patience, surrender, humility, and faith.
"I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you." Ephesians 3:17-19
Comments
Post a Comment