Are You Grown Up?

Why do we tend to listen to those who tell us what we want to hear, even when we each know that what we're being told may be contrary to HIS Word? 

We all do it, I know that I have to really watch myself in this area.  I'll give  you a good example.  One of the goals Faith and I have set for ourselves, and we don't believe that this is a goal that is contrary to HIS will for our family, is that we would be able, through HIS Grace, to buy a home.  Now we're the kind of people that landlords love to move into their rentals, because we do a lot to personalize the house we live in, all with the owner's permission of course.  I jokingly told Faith one time that I wouldn't be surprised if landlords started paying us to move into their properties so that in a couple of years time they would get a total makeover.  After I was injured, which led to disability, almost four years ago, and then almost died exactly three years ago today, the desire for a home of our own became more that just a desire, it became a need.  That need is based on one of my biggest fears, that the LORD will call me home, and my wife and kids wouldn't be able to afford the high rents we're only able to pay by HIS Mercies.  I don't need anyone to counsel me about giving it all to GOD and not worrying over it, that's exactly what I've told many people myself.  But, you know what they say about advice, easy to give and hard to follow.  I know that my family is far more precious to our LORD than the birds of the air, and HE knows that I know that.  So, how not to worry is the question we all face.  What advice can I give myself that I'll be able to follow? 

'Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;  but as HE who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." '  (I Peter 1:13-16    NKJV)

There it is, straight from His Good News, the Scriptures.  So many times when we're in need of a miracle, which in reality is simply GOD keeping HIS promises, we will give everything to HIM but then never finish our work before HIM.  What I'm saying is that when we take something to the LORD in prayer, what we're actually doing is entering into covenant with HIM.  HIS part of the agreement is that HE is available to hear our petition, and then to answer it based on several things, including what HIS Will holds for us in relation to what we've asked for and whether or not we leave in HIS capable hands what we've placed there by our prayer.  The hardest part of giving something to GOD in prayer is to leave it with HIM, and to not take it back. That's exactly what we do when we continue to bring it up to HIM every time we think about it.  Then we have the biggy, thanking HIM.  And yes, we should begin thanking HIM and praising HIM for answered prayer immediately after we ask from HIM whatever it is we've asked for.  If we take the position that we shouldn't thank HIM until after we decide if HE's responded the way we feel HE should, then we're setting conditions for HIM too follow, and that is dangerous ground to tread on. 

The big thing in this scenario, which is all too real so much of the time, is that worry is a sin.  The Scripture we looked at just a moment ago tells us to 'be holy.'  The two different issues here, committing [a] sin that we're fully aware of and following HIS instruction to 'be holy' doesn't go hand in hand with each other by any stretch of the imagination.

I'm humbled by my wife.  I asked her to put together a bio for me for one of my seminary classes, and when I read what she'd put together, I got a clear picture of how she saw me.  It blew my mind, and a lot of it was because I'd never thought much on how she put me and holiness together.  I also had never realized that she looked up to me, and that humbled me even more simply because I'm not always a real nice person.  I can make excuses like, "Well, I was having a really bad day."  That boat would float for most people since the doctors told her three years ago today that I wouldn't live through the night.  Then about two and a half years ago the specialists told us that I'ld never walk again without 'assistive' devices.  The point I'm making here is yes, I do have days that things get really bad, and try as I may, sometimes I know that I'm not easy to be around.  Yet Faith still sees me as holy and spiritual, that's humbling.  That is the answer to just about all of our conflicts with GOD, that we refuse to totally humble ourselves before HIM.  We always try to hold on to some small piece of ourselves, just so we can feel like we're still in control.  It's not that GOD insists on us groveling at HIS feet for stale bread, it's that HE wants us to know that it's okay to need HIM.  It's okay for us to tell HIM, "Lord, I can't do this, or any other thing, without You."  The thing is that HE already knows that, even before we grow up enough to be humble enough to admit it. 

How about it, are you grown up enough?

Be Blessed in all that HE is too you!
Terry