Downtown Atlanta, Georgia
In a few hours I’ll be heading back to a place that I’ve grown not to like. Downtown Atlanta used to remind me of the Varsity and its delicious cuisine. I used to associate downtown Atlanta with Turner Field and my beloved Braves. Ever since June 16th of this year, when I think of Atlanta, I think of orthopedic surgeons, hospital vending machines, lonely hotel rooms and a wife in grave pain. Atlanta? Not my favorite.
So many of you have prayed and communicated your love and concern for our family over the last six weeks. Additionally, more people than I can count have shown that same love by sending meals, caring for Amy’s medical and personal grooming needs at home, cleaning our home, modifying our house for her wheelchair and various other things that I’m sure I’m forgetting. Our church family and a few other churches have been generous with helping with medical bills. The staff and members of Meadow are remaining understanding while my hours in the office and pulpit have been less than what is normally expected of a pastor. We remain humbled and grateful at your care of us. Please stay alongside of us as we have an appointment with Amy’s surgeon today to see what kind of progress is being made in her recovery. The long drive down to his office will remind us of how little control we have over our situation and we will need to stay committed to yielding to God’s gracious plan. A man I’ve learned much from over the years helps us to do so when we hear him say,
“Our need is not to prove God’s faithfulness but to demonstrate our own, by trusting Him both to determine and to supply our needs according to His will.” – John MacArthur
In his quote, the place of tension is found in the words “according to His will”. Why is this so? Because we always have a will of our own and this will might typically be focused on what benefits us quickly and lastingly. We are sometimes afraid that God’s will might cost us that craved personal benefit and so we often sense a struggle. I’m not a priest who receives confessions but I’ve been candid to confess our own area of struggle for today – will you do the same by commenting on the following question?
What is the area of life which you find the most difficult to consistently,calmly yield to God’s will?
The weakest area in our perspective is when God allows us to experience health issues.When Job endured the total loss that God allowed, still Satan said to God that if He would touch Job’s flesh he would curse.We ask God to help us submit to Him in any area of our life, not easy!
We are glad to know that Amy’s doctor yesterday told you that she was making a good recovery.We are praying for her everyday with the assurance that Jesus will heal her soon.I like to refer to what I refered previously in Psalms 5:3 (King James version)”My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” This verse is my favorite because back in the nineteen fifties I heard a preacher preaching on it in a Friday afternoon meeting.At that time the ‘directed rockets’ that could precisely hit the target were newly discovered.The preacher quoted this as analogy of ‘directed prayers’ to ‘directed rockets’.In the arabic version the last part of the verse is written “….., and I will wait expecting.”
Yes, in the morning we direct our prayers to our Lord and wait with expectance.God blessyou,
Sam & Zack.
If the question is “What is the area of life which you find the most difficult to consistently, calmly yield to God’s will?”, then I think Jennifer makes a very important point when she says “I’m learning that there are some things that God will not take from us, but rather He calls us to relinquish them of our own free will”.
I seem to remember Jeff preaching many years ago about a little girl who had a necklace of plastic beads that she loved, and which was very precious to her. (Sorry if I have this wrong Jeff!) One day her father came to her and asked if she would give it to him, and I think she said no initially. But eventually she realised that if she really loved her father, and if she was sure that he really loved her, and wouldn’t do anything unkind to her, then she should be able to trust him. So when he next asked her, she said that she loved him and trusted him, and therefore she handed over her precious necklace.
Needless to say, he had in his pocket a box with a necklace of real pearls to give her instead …..
Since this seems to confession time, let me join in with with the time management issue along with a food addiction that is taking a toll on my health. This is a constant concern in my life and only my (much stronger than I am ) God can aid me in conquering these problems. God is my hope and strength giving me the daily bread that I need and wisdom to order my days.
I am moved by the courage of others who have chosen to jump head first into this pool of transparency while I sit along the side only willing to get my toes wet. Okay…move over guys and girls, make room…here comes my best “Canonball!” My struggle is fear. And yes, I should know better. From the age of 6, I have assumed the role of protector for those that I love. Knowing that I was ill equipped then (and now) doesn’t cause me relinquish the burden, it only adds to it. It’s foolish, embarrassing, and exhausting. So why not let go? After so many years, it feels super glued to my hands. I’m learning that there are some things that God will not take from us, but rather He calls us to relinquish them of our own free will. What a loving, merciful, and long suffering God we serve.
Appreciating the splash from your “cannonball”! Not only do we need to know the role of Savior belongs only to One, nobody in our lives needs to view us in that role. God limits us in what we can do in the role of rescuer/protector so we will never believe we are independently capable in all matters. He also limits us so that we never serve as a substitute redeemer from those who need to look to him alone.
Oh yeah, Jennifer. Being ill equiped but feeling like you have to take care of everything/one is a shared fear and one that I don’t give up very well. But there are, unfortunately, far too many things that I cling to. Excellent cannonball!!!
I just love this blog. Jeff, i thank you for always allowing God to speak and use you to minister to so many people around this big ‘ol globe. I echo Beth’s issue, but my biggest struggle is “loving my enemies”. I am struggling with NOT responding to my enemies the way they respond to me “an eye or an eye” mentality. This attitude has resulted in me struggling with forgiveness and bitterness. I want to forgive, but find my self seeking revenge instead. I know God has said in His word “vengence is mine, i will repay”, but that does not register when i have been hurt or wronged. I want them to hurt also. When I think of all Christ and the Father has forgiven me of how could I do less to “man” who is made in His very image. I struggle to the point of tears because God saids plainly in His word “if i do not forgive others their trespass neither will He forgive me. Loving my enemies and forgiveness is my struggle and difficulty to trust God with.
i spent many years in the prison of bitterness and vengeance prior to coming to Christ. On of the unexpected byproducts of my personal salvation was not only the ability to forgive those who had wronged me, but also the desire to do so. I so love the concept of forgiveness that I can only find joy and relief when I’m in its presence, even if it is me who needs to be the one giving forgiveness. I pray that you will experience this joy also and never need to worry again about the long claws of bitterness getting under your skin!
Patience with my mother. She lost her job a couple of years ago and it has been a struggle since. The vibe I get from her is that she doesn’t want to return to work, but let me take care if her instead. I have grown tired and very frustrated with life over the past year because of the increase in the household expenses. A person can only do so much before they say enough is enough and start doing fir yourself. I want to continue to be there for her, but struggle with wanting her to leave daily. It makes me feel guilty.
Feeling presumed upon is very tough. If it might help, consider if (and how often) God continues to bless you and serve you even though you might occasionally take Him for granted. Doing this may help your patience level go up.
WOW! Talking about putting it out there for the world see… I so look forward to reading your blogs everyday and gleeming something that I can use immediately or store for future use. Well, this is one of those in your face days!!! I’m sure for those that read this and know me, it comes as no surprise, but mine is the need to feel in control. I don’t like the unknown, I’m not a carefree laid back person to just run with the wind. I struggle with this more times than I really care to admit. My prayer is to be willing to let go and Let God be the one in control in all areas no matter what.
We seem more willing to loosen our grip than to fully let go. I’ve had a loose grip for years but have been seeing that this is not the same as complete surrender. Loose grips can re-tighten and mine often did. God loves me too much to let that pattern continue. My hands are open, empty and uplifted today…I think.
At one time in my life I was very organized and had all my tasks in order – so to complete each task during the 24 hour period. I would not go to bed ’till all was accomplished. Somehow or another that stopped on May 26, 2010, when I fell. Right now my tasks are (for the most part) still wanting. What I have accomplished is spending more time with the Lord. I sometimes feel anxious about my unorganization-BUT-closer to my Lord than I have ever been…therefore more at peace than I have ever been. For the first time I have heard Him speak to me. I say hooray and Bless His Holy name.
I’m 13 months behind you on the calendar, sister. I’m open to your words and experience in this area. Don’t stop sharing.
Ah, you have touched on the sore spot… I am an organizing, scheduling, neat and clean FREAK! There, it’s confessed!! Basically put, I like my life neat and tidy and in control… God interrupts that utopia on a regular basis just to show me that I’m really under His control and to trust Him and not my own sense of “order”. This being said, I think the hardest thing to yield is my future – I want the plan laid out and plainly visible before me, God just wants me to be willing to do whatever and go wherever at any appointed time He has ordained. May I learn to yield my unknown tomorrows without fear & worry to an all knowing and ever-loving God!
Sharon, better to struggle with yielding your future than yielding your past. Worry over one’s past paralyzes the present and forfeits the future. As a fellow structure/order freak I know exactly what you are talking about. Basically, I’m learning that my need for order and ultra-structure betrays a failure to trust in the competency of God to “handle” whatever comes my way tomorrow. This current challenge which finds my family is forcing me away from this false altar of control. It’s a struggle but feels very healthy.
Sad to say, I have always struggled with my eating/exercise habits and though, I may have prayed about it through the years and have been successful (because of Him) here and there, it’s the one area that I have not totally and completely yielded to the Lord on a consistent basis. I’m not giving up on that desire to do so – I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I take comfort these days in what the Psalmist said, “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.” Ps. 92:14
Reply
Great verse – thanks for sharing! 🙂
I was about to say “amen” but had my mouth full!!
Yes, picking one seems a little restrictive. It’s interesting that you mentioned time management as that is one thing I am clearly seeing that had become somewhat of an idol in my life. Now that I have no structured schedule whatsoever, it is hard to “feel spiritual”. Thanks, Glen.
to be just a tad unbiblical for a second and to spin greek mythology a little.. you’ve certainly opened Pandora’s box! Too many things that I fail to yield consistently much less at all. Probably the biggest thing that I have difficulty in yielding is “my time”. But like the aforementioned box…. The Bible leaves me hope. The difference in myth and bible is that the Bible also leaves me a means of attaining that hope!!!