How do we tend to react when people try to dictate what we should do?
Here's a close-to-home example:
"Papa… I need a car by tomorrow, and make sure it's a Mercedes Benz! You
promised to provide for me, now prove it!"
In this case, my reaction would probably be: "Hmm… I think I'm having trouble
hearing you clearly. Where's my hearing aid?"
"You don't have one!"
"What did you say, son?"
Imagine how our Heavenly Father must feel when we dictate His actions: "Lord, I
want a better job. Please take away my rebellious kids. And don't forget to hit
little Johnny with strap throat. I sure don't want him to win the speaking
contest! And make Aunt Fluvia come down with the flu! She's planning to visit
me, and you know how she annoys me with her constant bickering!"
His answer might go something like this: "Who do you think I am? Santa Clause?
Why do you call Me Lord when all you expect is for Me to obey your every whim?"
Many of you know that I have been experiencing difficulties sleeping. I was
diagnosed with sleep apnoea last fall, and although the remedy, called a C-PAP,
has helped me tremendously, it has not broken my habitual pattern of waking up
in the middle of the night.
This is very frustrating to me, and I don't know how many times I've cried out
to God: "Lord! Heal me!"
Now, looking back to my request, it pretty much sounds like a demand to me!
It took me a while, but I finally did realize that my real problem was not my
diagnosis of sleep apnoea. Rather, my two-fold problem was spiritual:
1. I was not leaving my worries completely in God's hands. (For some reason I
have sadistic tendencies towards torturing myself over silly things, and I love
to steal back the worries I have handed over to my Heavenly Father!); and
2. I was not totally and reverently submissive to my Father. (No demands,
whatever the source, are ever reverent or submissive!)
Let's face it: One year from now, how many of us will even remember the worries
of today? If worries have so little value to us, then why worry at all?
While at Kingdom Bound this summer, I was touched by God. He made me realize
that my sleep difficulties were due to the fact that I constantly want to be in
control! Yes, I had accepted Jesus as my Saviour, but had I also accepted Him as
Master over all things in my life? Even over my worries? Even over my sleep?
The following Bible text hit right in the centre of my heart:
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions
with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he
was heard because of his reverent submission." (Heb 5:7 NIV)
Note that Jesus was heard "because of His reverent submission". If Jesus was
reverently submissive to His Heavenly Father, shouldn't we be even more so?
Let's take a look at Jesus' last request before going to the cross: "Father, if
You are willing, take this cup from Me." (Luke 22:42 NIV). Then, in anguish so
great that He was sweating great drops of blood, He reverently submitted Himself
to God: "Yet not My will, but Yours be done." (Luke 22:42 NIV)
Let's take a moment here to realize that Jesus' request was never fulfilled! God
did not remove the cup of suffering! Nevertheless, the request was still heard
and addressed by God: "An angel from Heaven appeared to Him and strengthened
Him." (Luke 22:43 NIV)
Is it possible that it seems our prayers are not heard because we are not
reverently submissive to God's will? Is it possible that our prayers reflect
more of our own will than that of the Father?
When God gave me this message, I repented bitterly; and falling to my knees with
tears flowing freely, I uttered this prayer: "My sleep problems are now in your
hands. Not my will, but Yours, Lord! I'm so sorry that I haven't given You
control over all aspects of my life. Be my Lord now! I am Yours, completely! I
don't have to worry about worrying any longer! No matter what happens, You are
with me! Not my will, Lord, but Yours! It does not matter if I sleep well or
not. What matters is that You become my reality in all things!"
From that night on, I have hardly had any problems sleeping through the night.
And this is the first time in at least two years! And do you know what the funny
thing is? It no longer matters if the sleeping difficulties come back or not.
What counts is this: "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30 NKJV)
"Dad… I want you to buy me a ranch with at least thousand horses."
"Are you sure you would like that, son?"
"Absolutely!"
"Let me try and help you find a job…"
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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