We’ve been talking about rest. This past year I have struggled with truly resting. But, I have never thought about whether my doing FOR God is related to running FROM Him.
Is it possible that my striving is due to my running away from God?
I hadn’t thought of this until I listened to Charles Stanley’s message. In essence, He says,
We are more comfortable rushing about DOING FOR God
…because to stop would mean “embracing the crucified life” …a life that is not my own.
His word of truth brought me up short. Am I willing to lay everything down?
- My dreams
- My hopes
- My agenda and what I think I should be doing FOR God
That’s what God asks. He asked it of Jesus both when He came to dwell with us and in the Garden of Gethsemane. That was the test that Satan put on Jesus in the wilderness.
Am I willing to die to self?
Am I willing to hand God a blank page with my signature on it and allow Him to fill in the details? [Click to Tweet This]
My desire for control recoils at this–even subconsciously. But, I know this is what He is asking of me.
Lay it down.
All of it.
And, to rest in who I am in Christ and because of the cross and let Him assign me tasks according to His will for me and for the benefit of those in my world.
Will you join me in asking the question:
Am I doing FOR God…or running FROM Him?
My prayer is:
“Lord, forgive me for rushing around like the world depends on me. [Click to Tweet This]
Forgive me for filling the empty places with busy things that keep me running and not resting. I lay down my agenda. I lay down my dreams. I surrender my writing, speaking, teaching and the desire to use them for you. I can’t do any of this without you–so without your anointing power and call, I don’t want it. Teach me to rest in the cross and to trust in You alone each day.”
I can’t wait to see what comes from this shift in my thinking. Will you share your thoughts as well?
Jeanne
Jeanne, I needed to read this today. I was anxious because my To Do list was not getting done. I am seeking His face and will. Thank you.
I find I need this everyday, Cherrilynn. Thanks for your thoughts and praying for you as you rest in Him today
Jeanne, this is what our group was studying today. I believe the Lord is calling each of us to ……rest, listen……
Are we serving Him or our agenda.
Love you and your insight. Mom
Mom, thanks for sharing this–I do think the Lord is speaking to His church about resting in Him. Knowing that it is His might and not ours that gets things done. It is not easy to do or grasp but when I do get a taste of His rest, I hunger for more.
I’ve been diving into this topic lately. Your post reminds me of some points from the book With, by Skye Jethani. When we can truly surrender and let God work his plans in our lives, we are free from the frustration of “our plans” not working. For me, that is a hard place to stay consistently.
Ginger, I know what you mean His rest being a hard place to stay. I haven’t heard of that book your mentioned but will check it out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about doing and being. Reminds me about the Mary and Martha story–and Jesus loved them both dearly. It helps me to try to choose BEST over good.
Jeanne,
This realization will change your life if you hang onto it. It is never easy to make that kind of change. The tendency is to drift back to the ordinary don’t you think?
Our Savior seeks intimacy. Wouldn’t life be so much sweeter if lived by your prayer?
Powerful message. Thanks.
Judy Taylor
Judy, you are so right. It is easy to forget and drift back into my self-sufficiency. I am thankful for his patience. I am learning a bit more every time but I know I need to find that balance between being faithful to do, while being certain to trust. Thanks for sharing your heart
I’m soooo there with you, Jeanne! It seems no matter how hard I work, I can’t get my head above water. That gets me frustrated and stressed, so I try harder…and you know where that gets me!
Thank you for your transparency. I needed to hear this. Again. :-/
Vonda, I am thankful that He is persistent with me. It is so easy to keep doing because I think I am supposed to make things happen. I know there is a balance of when to be still and when to move. I am asking for His help with it every day 🙂
As for when we feel overwhelmed with our list–Is it because we have trouble asking for help? I don’t know.
I need to hear this, Jeanne, every day! A dear friend once told me, “If your burden is overwhelming, you’re out of God’s will.” When Jesus says that our burdens are light, He doesn’t mean easy, He means that He helps us carry them. When I make my to-do list on my own and struggle to complete it on my own, I’m sure to fail. Only when I allow Him to guide me and share my burdens with Him do I succeed.
Sherry, I think it is hard to know how to balance. There are plenty of situations in Scripture that people were overwhelmed. Jesus sent the disciples across the lake in the boat and then a storm hit. That tells me that when we are doing what God asks, it doesn’t keep us from storms. The tricky thing for me is not ADDING to the burden with my own ideas. LOL The bottom line is close relationship so we sense when we have tripped with wire.
We all seem so very busy these days. I’m exhausted. It is so hard to discern what’s from God and what’s not. I think I’m willing to lay down my agenda for His, and I’ve experienced His grace to do what is in front of me, so I wonder if there simply are busy seasons in our lives.. I’m definitely praying about this one.
I think it is difficult to know sometimes, Andy. Thanks for your comment and sharing your thoughtful heart. Busyness has become a disease. We need His wisdom to strike the balance.