Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matt 7:7-8
As I walk with God daily I find that many of my decisions become an opportunity to invite God to work. It’s a way of navigating through life and all its twists and turns with Him at the helm instead of me. Understand this has taken much intentional effort to SURRENDER what I want and TRUST what He wants. And so, in decisions big and small, I have this wonderful opportunity to ask God to lead. AND HE DOES!
But today, I want to talk to you about something specific in this process that I tend to forget to consider.
Not long ago I was praying about a decision regarding one of my children. It was not a huge life decision but I wanted to ask for God to lead in it anyway.
In the past, when it came to issues that dealt with my children, I would do whatever was necessary to come to the outcome I found most desirable for them. I mean, after all, I love them and would even die for them. So, when it came to decisions that shaped their lives, if I could control it, I would. Period.
In fact, this was one of the last areas that I was willing to let go of and give God full control over. Through a long process, God began to pry my fingers off my circumstances as they pertained to my kids and show me I could fully rest in His faithfulness.
Recently, as I began to pray about a particular situation for one of my girls, I felt as though I knew what would be the best scenario, the best outcome, but after years of seeing God’s faithfulness, I went to Him and asked for Him to work and arrange the circumstances as He saw fit. I truly came to a place that I wanted His will over my perceived best outcome.
PINIMAGESeveral weeks passed as I waited for the situation to come to a conclusion. Each day I told the Lord, “God, I know that there are a lot of variables in this situation, but You are not confined to variables. Whatever You desire, have Your way.”
Then God answered. It was not what I expected but there wasn’t really any bad way things could have gone. I was at peace because even though just picking an option would be easy to do, I knew that inviting God to direct meant He had a plan. As I was spending time in prayer this morning, I was thanking God for His faithfulness once again and thanking Him for teaching me to trust Him. I was focused on the “letting go of control” and the peaceful place I had found.
Sometimes we see surrender that way…God wrestling control from us. And sometimes thats ALL we see.
While I prayed I felt God prompt my heart…”Surrender isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. I have purpose for this path – a Kingdom purpose. My purposes in this new opportunity for your child will work in her, in you, in your family and in others for My Kingdom and My glory.
How often I look at the battles of surrender as a purpose in and of themselves. It’s true, full surrender in our lives is something God wants to develop in us. But that’s the canvas on which He works His amazing plans.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Being reminded of this, I began to think about other prayers I’m lifting right now. Our church bought land and we are eager to break ground as God opens doors. There are exciting opportunities that have developed before us and we have committed them to God, asking Him to guide. He may say “no” to what we see taking shape. We can trust that. But whatever He says, we don’t just sit on the answer. There’s purpose to walk in.
Have you recently seen God shut a door in your life that you hoped He wouldn’t? Did He send you in another direction? As you work to surrender that to Him don’t forget, it’s not the surrender in and of itself He’s after. He now wants you to step out in a purpose perhaps you cannot yet see. Remember, when you commit your plans to Him, He WILL work, for His glory and your good. Surrender is just the beginning.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; Psalm 37:23
