Recently, I have talked to some guys who are questioning their faith. In reading the first chapter of James, we are told that we are going to face trials. James challenges us to consider them pure joy. I have a couple of pals who just have found out that they have prostate cancer. They have been shaken. I just watched the tornado go through Oklahoma City. I can only imagine what that trial felt like. In each of those situations perseverance must finish its work. Why? “So, they will be mature and complete not lacking anything.” Wisdom will be needed in both of those circumstances and it is ours for the asking. But you know what I find myself asking is “God what is it you want me to do?” If I don’t watch, I will not wait on Him and I will try to figure out what it is myself.
While asking that question the other day, I ran across this verse.
John 14:1 says,” Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.”
What if that is the answer? We guys want a task to complete or a battle to fight for the King. But what if we let Him take care of the what and all we had to do was trust? It is much easier to do something than to trust God. Are we working with God or for God?
Try this exercise. You and God sit down and read John 14:1 together. Meditate on it with Him. Then both of you answer the following questions:
Which one of you (you and God) wants what you do for God to:
1) Be something you can measure so we can see results
2) Be something you can measure so someone gets credit
3) Be now
4) Be comfortable
5) Be with others but not alone
6) Make common sense
7) Be noticeable
8) Glorify the Lord
I know what His answer would be. What’s yours?
In The Circle Maker Mark Batterson had this to say: “When you live by faith, it often feels like you are risking your reputation. You’re not. You’re risking God’s reputation. It’s not your faith that is on the line. It’s His faithfulness. Why? Because God is the one who made the promise, and He is the only one who can keep it. The battle doesn’t belong to you, neither does the glory. God answers prayer to bring glory to His name, the name that is above all names. Drawing prayer circles around what God wants you to do isn’t about proving yourself to God; it’s about giving God an opportunity to prove Himself to you.”
There’s something really more important to God than what we do for Him. It’s us – we are important to Him. He wants us. So I challenge you to dream big, pray hard and long, believe He will answer your prayer in His timing without doubting and trust Him with your life. We must have Holy Anticipation. Wow! I wonder what God will do tomorrow?
Wes Marion