Tuesday, March 29, 2011

"I can do it all by myself... "

That's the refrain of every toddler, "I can do it myself!"  Usually they can, but sometimes it makes a terrible mess in the process.  I was always the kind of mom who found a way to "help" my kids do it so the mess would be less.  (Sorry, kids!)  Not great for building self-reliance. 

This is one aspect of parenting that is totally opposite from the kind of parent God is to me.  I come to Him, relying on my own strength.  But God doesn't want me to be self-reliant.  He wants me to be totally dependent on Him.  My maturity in Christ is measured by how dependent I can be.  So unnatural!  I should learn from my former toddlers and let Him do it!  I'd have fewer messes in my life.

There is a quote that is posted on my refrigerator right now, next to our family calendar.  It's one by A.W. Tozer.  It reads, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.  What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves."

I've always considered myself a planner.  Control-freak security...  But what I'm noticing lately is, even though I want to do the will of God, I only attempt the things I think I will be successful at.  I've created a very safe environment for myself.  Well, I'm kind of sick of it.  Time to attempt things that only God can accomplish through me.  Sounds great, but how to start.  It's as unnatural as stepping off a cliff...

James 2:21-24 says,
Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.  And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.  So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

If I truly want to live the radical life of faith, my actions better be ones that take real faith, not self-reliance.

Lord, I don't just want to do the things I can do by myself. 
I want You to do the impossible through me. Amen!

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