His will

I read this on a friend's blog today and it spoke right to me.

This verse seemed to be screaming, 'Becky! I wrote this one for you!'

How often do I pray and in the back of my mind I'm thinking, 'God please, just DO WHAT MY HEART WANTS!' Instead of, 'God please, CHANGE MY HEART!'

And how often do I take His answers and think...'I did what you asked...why didn't things get easier?'

Sometimes God's way isn't the easy way, or the fun way or the way that we see as 'good' and 'right'.

Sometimes God's way is difficult and sticky and messy and full of heart ache.

Because He is concerned with changing our hearts...not with making our way EASY!

'In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.' Proverbs 16:9

My friend also posted this prayer with the verse - which she got from here.

Again, its like the author was reading my heart as he wrote. My fickle, weak heart.

Sovereign Father, this promise brings me immeasurable peace, humility, and joy. You’re vitally engaged in determining and directing every one of our steps. You’re working all things together after the counsel of your will. You’re working in all things for your glory and for our good. You open doors no man can shut and you shut doors no man can open. Indeed, you’re no mere life coach, you’re the Lord of all things… including me.

Many years I labored under the arrogance and anxiety of assuming that if I prayed hard enough and long enough… that if I was really filled with and “tuned” into the Holy Spirit, I could know the specifics of your will for my life… well in advance of any decision that needed to be made. Of course, my assumption was that if I was in your will, life would be enjoyable, pleasant and hassle-free.

If I bought the right car, it would never break down…If I bought the right house, the roof would never leak… If I married the right person, we would never disagree… If I went to the right college I’d get the right job and life would beall-right... If I sent my kids to the right school, they would never act out and would end up on the mission field. If all of this was true, I wouldn’t really need you.

Father, you’re certainly honored when we work hard to make good plans, in keeping with our understanding of the Scriptures. It’s important for us to seek and heed, wise prayerful counsel of good and godly friends. But help us to live with more confidence that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not a consulting partner… a very present Lord, not an absentee landlord… the reigning King, not an impotent bystander. Because of Jesus, I’m confident your will is being done… on earth as it is in heaven.

Free us to accept that many times your will leads to great suffering and pain. It’s called the cross. But the cross and resurrection go together. Hallelujah! What a most glorious and gracious Father you are. So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and very present name.