This general topic has been on my mind lately so I decided to write some of it down this morning, before I forgot what was actually in my head. I am going to leave this open ended to continue the discussion as we go, so this is part 1.
Do We Allow God to Actually Work in Our Lives?
Do we or are we willing to allow God to actually work in our lives? This was not all that easy of a question for me to answer, and I probably ask myself this question on a continual basis. When we look at the way our society works today, it is a publish on demand, gratification on demand kind of process now.
We want, so we buy, or get, just about whatever our physical or emotional needs are here on earth, especially those who live in countries like the U.S. or the U.K. Part of this is the question, are we actually willing participants in what God wants for our lives, waiting on God if we are so required?
God’s Timing is Not Our Timing
Sometimes we have to actually wait for God’s timing, and I have found over the years when I do, it usually turns out much better than if I just got what I wanted at the time I expected it to happen. My biggest question to God is always, WHY? I know you said do this, I know you want me to wait here, go there, but why?
Not only is this the wrong question to ask, it is a dangerous one to ask as well. We think we want to know why, but in reality, when we are not told, it is probably for the best. There have been times in my life when I have heard the call of God to do one thing or another. Some times I obeyed, some times I did not, but it is the letting go and surrendering of my life to God that allows God to work in my life. Asking why is one of questioning the motives of God. Are you sure? I am not so sure this is best for me right now, maybe later.
We Can Choose Not to be Blessed
We have the ability to refuse. God has given us free will (a complex topic for another day) to obey or be disobedient. If we read through the old and new testaments, we can see who God used in scripture. Ordinary people, but those willing to let God work in their lives.
I am not saying here that if we are disobedient that God is going to strike us down where we stand. What God will do is use a willing person for His work. Sometimes that takes Him breaking us down so we become willing, but If we are not a willing person, He will move on to bless the next person. God pretty much has an unlimited number of people to use. If we are unwilling to be blessed by God, God can and will move to someone who is willing.
In my own life, I go back and forth between choosing self and choosing God’s will, but when God’s will and my own selfish will align, it is an amazing thing. It is something that can only be described as joy. Coming up, Allowing God to Work in Your Church, part 2 of We Can Choose Not to Be Blessed, just stayed tuned, but in the mean time, let me know what you think. How willing are we to let God do what he does best for us?
2 responses to “Do We Choose Not to Be Blessed by God?”
I totally missed this post yesterday!
A person willing to do God’s will should be humble and the work they do should be to glorify God. There are still consequences for sin if you are disobedient though. The good news is when these 2 things align God can do amazing things.
1 Kings 21:28-29
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”
Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
[…] discussion on my blog about how we can actually be prepared and allow God to work in our lives (see We Choose Not to Be Blessed, Part 1), including the […]