October 6, 2018

I caught myself doing it again.  And then I had to apologize again.  To God.

I’ve been in the habit (bad habit) of trying to give God advice.  You see, I have these great ideas and I think God will love them.  So, when I’m praying, I tell Him all about them.  Actually, I tell Him I want Him to make them happen.  Uh-huh.  Confession time.

I don’t even realize I’m doing it half of the time.  I start praying about a situation and before you know it, I’m telling God what to do.  I’m telling the God of the universe how to do His job.  I know.  I’m a bossy girl.

But then, the still small voice of the Holy Spirit gently interjects.  This morning it happened again.  I was reading something in my prayer journal from last year and the words could not be denied . . .

Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, ‘above all that we ask or think’. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!

– Andrew Murray

I have been guilty of “fancying” that I know what He can do.  I’ve been limiting God in my thinking.  Trying to tell Him how to do His job with my limited thinking and perspective.

I do not need to be the mother-of-the-world.  I do not need to fret over people and their problems.  I need to go to God with my concerns and place them in His all-powerful, never-failing, grace-and-mercy-filled hands and then let go.  Let go and let Him do His job without any bossy ideas from me.

Besides, His ideas are always so much better than anything I can dream up.  Beyond my wildest imagination. I know this because I’ve seen it.  I’ve experienced it.  I’ve lived it.

I’m so thankful that His work in my life has not been limited by what I could dream up.  I’m so glad God works outside of the box I try to place Him in.  He cannot be contained and I’m so very thankful for that.

So whats an un-bossy girl in training to do?   I know I should pray for people.  I know I should love people.  I know I should help people.

But first, I will give God the glory for what He will do in the lives His people and wait to see how He will do it.  It might mean that He will let me help by being His hands and feet.  If so, I will be ready.  In the mean time, I will continue to pray and love people with a new perspective and attitude.  One that listens more than it talks.

Lord, you know my heart and my thoughts.  You know that I mean well when I try to tell you what to do.  Please forgive me for my “fancying” thoughts.  Thank you for correcting me and reminding me that you’ve got things covered.  Thank you for loving me even when I’m a bossy girl.  Help me to listen to you and be ready to help when I’m needed.