Mark 14:36 “And He said Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup. But please, not what I want–what do you want?”
How many times have you made plans and presented them to God for His blessings and approval?
This girl knows all about making plans and asking for God’s grace to carry them out. As someone who lived by a planner, I tried my best to live a somewhat controlled life. The planner had become my Bible and in so many words, I was asking God to order my steps–according to my plans.
And then one day I spun out of control. Well actually a couple of days. And days went into months. I couldn’t figure out my next move even if I tried. Nothing that I tried to do was going according to the plans. I had come I the end of my plans. I gave up on “my” plans and as I sat in silence for what seems like months, it appeared that I had fallen deep into depression. I longed for God to give me direction, but my patience was being tested. I knew that He was speaking through the silence but I was afraid to hear what He had to say because I knew it wouldn’t be what I currently wanted. He interrupted my plans to give me His plans.
And when I finally gathered myself, I heard Him speak. “April, when you do it, you receive the glory. It is not for you to DO, because all glory belongs to me. What I need from you is to trust and believe me. This is when I get all the glory. “I” know the plans I have for you, you don’t get to know the plans until I reveal them to you. Your whole reason for being is for my glory. You were created for my purpose and my pleasure.”
At this point, I became like one who is blind and groping about in darkness. With my hands in the air, I presented myself to God, surrendering every plan, every desire, every way that I ever thought I knew up to Him. I gave Him my cup and allowed Him to pour into me until I was full and overflowing. My response was for me to decrease so that He could have His way in me.
I challenge you to create a space for God to work through in your life. If there is anything that you are tightly holding on to, relinquish it to God today. He works in us both to will and to do His good pleasure and He is waiting for you to submit it all to Him. He really is willing to do above all that we can ever ask or think. Exchange your plans for the leading of the Holy Spirit. It will be the wisest decision that you will EVER make! Just go ahead and TRUST Him!
Prayer focus:
I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.
God’s decree: For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpass the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Isaiah 55:9