Today we had an absolutly AMAZING talk at church! Check out lifecentre.org for the download. It was the begining of my favourite season of the whole year- Christmas!
As is his usual style Pastor Jay looked beyond what would be a good and regular sermon about Christmas, and delved deeper. We started by looking at Joseph and the choice that he had to make regarding what his response to Mary's news would be.
What I took from today's talk is making space for God.
If you weren't there, essentially Joseph had, quite nobley, decided that he was going to divorce Mary quietly to protect her as much as he could. Following the decision God spoke to him and the rest- as they say- is history!
I have often experienced frustration and confusion when seeking the Lord for His guidance in life's circumstances. The teaching we hear most of the time is "wait on God for the answers" so it becomes this process of expecting God to speak in OUR timing. There have been situations where a deadline has been looming, I feel as though I haven't heard from God and so I have to pull the trigger and make the decision and "hope for the best". It never has felt like a good or a GOD way to live. The people in the Bible didn't lock themselves in a room waiting for the step by step of how He wanted them to change the world. They simply walked in humility and with ears open to the redirection of God.
I have always believed that God has equipped us with brains and creativity for a reason, and that when we use our giftings in PARTNERSHIP with God's direction that we will ALWAYS find the path to His will.
So I have often had to take a step without "feeling" God's presence but always with the conviction of His directing love and purpose- and MOST importantly, with those open ears to discern if something is not where God wants me to go. I used to think that I was getting lucky with some of my choices and for all the rest that it was up to God to "redeem" them for His good purpose..... you know that scripture"ALL things work together for the good of those who love the Lord". I always kind of figured that God was getting quite the workout with me running all over the place making decisions that He was going to have to figure out how to "work out for good", but I see with some perspective that distance- and age- bring that God was there all along.
This idea of leaving space for God in between the decision and the action..... it really jives with what I believe about the Character of God and His desire to see us grow and mature, but to always allow His input.
It is nice to know that the further along I am in my walk, the more I realize I am on the right track!
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1 comment:
Laura...I absolulely loved Sundays' message too.
When I am seeking God's will and guidance for my life, I sometimes get confused and frustrated. And we all have learned that God's timing is not our timing. I wholehearted accept that and what really sustains me is my Faith in God. I stay close to Him and just walk in his direction...like you said.
Life is made up of choices, and sometimes we make wrong choices and we go around that mountain a few more times that we would like, but if we stay close to God we will know that He is with us every step of the way, through our good choices and through our bad choices. He carries us, let's us fall and is always willing to help us back up. He is shaping us, molding us, refining us and that's what builds our character.
There is such a huge peace in knowing that whatever happens, God's hand is upon me and He will help me through whatever it is I am going through in His perfect timing.
Love you Laura!
Trace
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