Urged on by faith…I had a temporary lapse in memory!

It’s been a busy, exciting, and emotional past couple of weeks as we’ve waited for and watched God work in and around our lives.  He has been SO good to us… and I have absolutely no reason to spiritually justify the string of recent meltdowns… excetp that I’ve had a temporary lapse in memory.

As we approach the end of this present season, unanswered questions and unresolved situations remain.  And I’ll admit, it’s drivien me a little crazy lately.  Somewhere in my trying to figure out just how God is going to work everything out, I forgot something.  I forgot that the Lord PROMISED us that HE would take care of us.  I forgot that He sent us the Milk, the Turkey, and the Flowers along with the promise that “God will supply all of your needs, on your knees.”  I forgot the phrase that has marked this entire journey: “Urged on by faith, he went… although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was going.”  I just plain forgot.

And because I forgot, my mind has been troubled.  I defaulted back to panic, tears, worry, and fear.  I could just kick myself right now! (But I’m uninsured… so I’ll wait another month before I do that!) ha ha! 🙂

As much as the Lord has shown Himself and His love to us over the past 10 months, I forgot that He would continue to lead us and feed us in the days to come.  I took my eyes off of Jesus, looked around in dismay, and I forgot to put them back onto Him for keeps.  I would glance up to Him, but I’d be quickly distracted by a sudden “need”.  I’ve spent the last several days focused on the needs rather than on the Supplier of all.

Honestly, I have nothing to complain about.  God has given us a call and a job.  He provided James a place to live until our house sells and the family can join him.  We’ll be living in a great town with precious people and serving in a wonderful church with an awesome staff.  I’m just getting impatient, and a little meloncholy because I don’t want our family to be seperated. 

“I, I, I, I, I!”  Yuck!  I’m sick of the whining and the “I’s”!  So yesterday, I asked the Lord to give me a Word from Him and some peace concerning our situation.  Just about as soon as I prayed that, a Twitter came through on my phone.  It was from Max Lucado, and this is what it said: 

“God’s ways are always right. They may not make sense to us. But they are right.”
Before my daddy died, he wanted us to know this same truth.  He told my mom to tell us: “Whatever happens is right, because God doesn’t make mistakes.”  It’s been one of the most comforting truths to remember.  So when I read that “word” from the Lord, what could I say, but “Yes, Lord. Of course Your ways are right and best! I’m so sorry for the grumbling and complaining and not trusting You!”  

Then I remembered.  I remembered that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  I remembered that His plans for us are for our good and His glory – every time (Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11).  I remembered that He will never leave nor forsake us, assuredly not (Hebrews 13:5)!  I remembered the four keys He gave me to help escape the lock ups of panic and fear… and I acted on what I remembered.

I don’t know how He is going to do it.  I don’t know when He is going to do it.  But I do know that God is going to provide for our needs, sell this house, and put our family back together again.  And He will do it in a way that is good, and that will bring Him great glory through our lives.

Melanie Dorsey (Bella Mella) sent me today’s devotion from Rick Warren.  It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.  I wonder if anyone besides me is in the midst of a temporary lapse in memory… and needs to be reminded to keep trusting the Lord, urged on by faith….. If so, may He use this to bless you as He has blessed and strengthened me just this morning.

Surrender: Let Go and Let God Work
by Rick Warren

“Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”   Psalm 37:7 (GWT)

Surrendering your life means:

• Following God’s lead without knowing where he’s sending you;
• Waiting for God’s timing without knowing when it will come;
• Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide;
• Trusting God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances.

You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work. You don’t have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more….

The supreme example of self-surrender is Jesus. The night before his crucifixion Jesus surrendered himself to God’s plan. He prayed, “Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine” (Mark 14:36 NLT).

Jesus surrendered himself to God’s will. He prayed, “God, if it is in your best interest to remove this suffering, please do so. But if it fulfills your purpose, that’s what I want, too.”

Genuine surrender says, “Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another’s life, please don’t take it away!”

This level of maturity doesn’t come easy. In Jesus’ case, he agonized so much over God’s plan that he sweated drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it requires intense warfare against our self-centered nature.

“Lord, please help me to remember… and to live Urged on by Faith…with my focus on You… for Your great glory!!! So be it, Lord!”