8/26/2025
"I think Christians fail so often to get answers
to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God.
They just drop down and say a few words, and then jump up
and forget it and expect God to answer them. Such praying always
reminds me of the small boy ringing his neighbor's doorbell,
and then running away as fast as he can go."
E. M. Bounds
Do you ever feel as if your life is like a roller coaster ride - rising upward, then lunging down, twisting and turning at rapid speed, at an angle so distorted that you feel as if the car will slant over too far and out you fall to the ground?! If so, you are not alone. For years I've been on a perpetual ride of my life, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any! Don't get me wrong - riding the roller coaster can be great fun for some who like that sort of "thrill," but it has never been my idea of a good time. My daddy used to warn us not to ride it when we were kids. He feared it would derail, and off we'd go like Thelma and Louise across the chasm before plunging to our deaths. It kept me off the them until I was an adult with small children. I rode the Scooby Doo ride at Kings Dominion in Virginia one summer, and that scared me so badly that I vowed I would never get on another one. My daddy was right! It was suicidal!
As we journey through this life we experience many emotions, and we carry these feelings along with us, re-examining different events or situations from time to time. I know that the life I thought I wanted is certainly not the life I ended up living. We each make choices each day that affect us whether for good or for bad. The decisions we make also affect the lives of others, so we have to be careful to think about each word, deed, action, and reaction. But that's hard to do, almost impossible, because we're not merely drifting through life, we are at a full throttle with the wind pushing us along. Sometimes life is too casual, and other times very confusing. No one comes with a book of "how to do it" for all seasons, but as Christians we do have a wonderful guide, Holy Spirit, who gently leads and keeps us on the straight and narrow path. The Bible is our field guide and a great compass. It's really more than that, but I use that analogy, because it has everything we need tucked in those pages. It's really a great read too, that is, if you take the time to truly read it, as an adventure, because it is. I've read it and re-read it over and over, and each time the pages explode with new words of life that I somehow missed. It's God's never ending story, and one He will teach us throughout eternity.
Yesterday I was reading a short devotional called "Break Free from Self-Sabotage." The writer shared that the greatest battles we face are generally those voices or whispers inside our minds that tell us that we're not enough or that we did this or that when we should have done thus and so. Always doubting ourselves, questioning our self-worth, and worst of all, not living out the potential that is within each of us to excel in our God-given calling. This doesn't necessarily involve making great sums of money or living in a high price villa in Spain, or any number of incredible dreams some people pray for. True success cannot be weighed in the amount of money a person has, or the fancy cars, elaborate estates, or attendance at five colleges with successive degrees following your name. While these are great achievements, they don't necessarily bring you joy or happiness. Eventually, if we continue to run the race set for us by the world's standards we'll end up broken and defeated, because we do not know how to experience real joy. That joy only comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ, knowing that faith in Him fills every void.
I've heard many derogatory statements made about living a life with Jesus Christ as my Savior. He's been called my crutch, and I admit I do lean on Him, but our relationship is a two way street. My part is to abide in Him, and then He abides in me, makes His home in me. It's a little too wonderful to grasp, but it's true. He said it was in John 15. When God created the Garden of Eden He walked with Adam in the cool of the evening. One day as God was looking for Adam He called out to him. Adam was hiding, because he didn't want God to see him as he was - naked. But God already knew where Adam was and why he was hiding. To this day man tries to hide from God, as if that was possible. God loves His creation, and He delights in man. Sometimes I wonder what it will take for us to wake up, shut up, and just listen to what God has to say to us. It's available in His word.
Prayer is our way to communicate with the Lord, and it doesn't have to be done kneeling down, lying down, walking, or standing on our head to be effective. All that's needed is to sit awhile in the presence of the One who made you and talk to Him. There are many ways to pray, and we should always approach God as the Holy God He is. In humility, grateful for all He has done in sending Jesus to die for us, take our sins on Himself, so we can live in relationship with God. But relationships require time. This is why the world is spiraling out of orbit these days from all the mayhem, running around senselessly trying to keep up with every wind of doctrine, every new thing that sprouts up and says "you need me" or "free gift" or a number of gimmicks to get people stuck in one way or another. And when you're stuck, you don't have time for what really matters. Things don't matter. People who are not available or who make empty promises don't matter. At least not in the sense that you give up your life, the one God has for you to live, to continue going in circles. Or like that roller coaster ride going at a dangerous speed risking your safety for what? One thrill?! Without Jesus there are no thrills. There is no life worth living.
Oswald Chambers said it right. People don't get the answer they want when come before God and leave their request in an offering plate that's being passed around, hoping someone will find it, and pray. No, we need to be sincere before God. Come hungry. Come thirsty. Come desiring to know Him and spend time in His presence. Listening as we sit at His feet. No longer running senselessly without direction, without purpose. Lately, I've been growing very tired of hearing prayers that go and go, repeating the same words over and over. I have to ask God repeatedly to forgive me for my impatience, but it doesn't sound like prayer as much as it sounds like us trying to impress the ones who are listening. We don't have to beg God. He knows our needs and even what we are going to pray about before we ask. He is omniscient - all knowing. Why is it so hard for us to sit awhile and wait before God? I admit it does require discipline to listen for His voice, but if we spend time reading the word and are faithful to pray, soon we will be able to discern His voice. Just as Elijah did when he ran away from Jezebel to meet with God in the cave. He cares, and there are no silly prayers.
Don't allow anyone or anything discourage you or try to sabotage your time with Abba. And don't hold back for any reason. He's always right here, waiting.
No comments:
Post a Comment