Dear friends,
There are plenty of examples of things where we do a part and somebody or something else does a part. For example, when driving a car, the humanoid behind the wheel starts his engine, puts the vehicle in gear and presses the gas pedal. Turns out our part in driving is relatively simple, if you leave out all the complex chemical and electrical activity going on inside your skull. It’s the car that turns gas into energy, pushing pistons and regulating temperature, and a hundred other things I don’t understand at all.
When the human body is hurt, there are some things we do and some that our body does. We wash out the wound (a specialty of mine!), put on an antibiotic, and cover the thing to hopefully keep those nasty microscopic powerhouses out. When a bone breaks, Dr. Bagchi sets it, screws it together with a torture device called an external fixator, and says “no pool, no pool!” But it’s the intricate chemical dance of antibodies, enzymes, proteins and nutrients that do the lyrical orchestration of healing.
In matters of the heart and relationships, things are a bit trickier. Especially, I think, in the human/divine relationship. I’ve heard the saying so many times I want to spit: “Let go and let God.” I mean no disrespect. I simply don’t know how to sort that out. Because it’s difficult to discern what is the Great One’s part, and what is our part. When I read The Book this morning, a snapshot from David’s life shed a little light on the issue:
So David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered him, "Go, I will hand them over to you." So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, "As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand." So that place was called Baal Perazim.” 1 Chronicles 14:11
I’m sure you have a number of things/people in your life that challenge you. I have important matters that are unresolved. If you are breathing, I’d wager you do too. I fuss over what to do about it. I get anxious and frustrated and blue. When I get that way, I know there’s only One who can help. But He’s no slot machine, question in, clear answer out. Because He’s after faith and true trust, and that involves the chasm between not knowing and finding out. He's also a mystery, wisely managing all things without consulting us. So when I read this verse from the annals of King David, I was comforted. Even though I don’t have it all figured, one thing is clear: Inquiring of God is the first step. If there’s something the Great One intends for us to do, He’ll show us in some way, at the right time. God took down the Philistines, but it was by David’s hand.
The Smith’s are still up against our own brand of invisible Philistines, just like everyone else on this cosmic ball. I refuse to be morbid about it, though. There’s too much golden mixed up with the gray. Still, talking to the Lover of our souls is the only sensible way to go. Ultimately He makes “the crooked straight”. But it may be by your hand.
Speaking of by MY hand, the freezer stopped freezing (turns out someone left it open, I think it was me), the propane tank is empty (someone left the burner on, again most likely me). Thanks to Judy the Good for the temporary use of her freezer, and to my husband who refrained from “raising cane” (ha, get it!) over the propane tank.
We'll talk tomorrow. As usual. Love you to bits!
Your friend on the pilgrim road,
Loriann
P.S. Please pray for my darling nephew Daniel, on his way to Afghanistan.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
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1 comment:
I love the "Let go & Let God" principle for several reasons.
I think that many times we get in God's way. He has a plan to do something and tells us about it and when it doesn't happen as quickly as we think it's supposed to happen, we decide we'll just "help" God and get this thing accomplished. Just like Abraham & Sarah tried to "help" God give them the child he had promised them by having Abraham use Sarah's maid to "get the job done." As a result, Ishmael was born - but he was not the child God had told them about. Later, Sarah did become pregnant in her old age - when it was physically impossible for this to happen - and Isaac, the son God had promised them, was born. Many times He tells us the result, but not the how. The how is His part, not ours. Our part is to believe what He tells us. And we'd be much better off if we did not try to figure it all out - and just forget about trying to "help." Unless He tells us to do something, do nothing and let Him do the doing part.
Another reason is that just before Jesus died, He cried out, "It is finished!" And it is. He has done all the work that needs to be done for our salvation. And He’s the One that continues to do the work in and through us that needs to be done.
Plus, the scriptures tell us that "we are seated with Christ in heavenly places." (Eph. 2:6) Now. Not just when we get to heaven. Right now. You sit down when you’re finished. We can sit down because Jesus has finished it.
Hebrews 4 tells us that we can enter into God’s rest. Verses 9-11 say, “So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest.” God didn’t rest because He was tired. He rested because His work was finished. And that rest is for us now - for this life. Not just for heaven.
I heard someone say, “When we rest, God works. And when we work, God rests.”
These are the reasons that I try to “Let go and let God.” I don’t always remember to, but this is my goal.
David realized that even though he had to go and fight the enemies, it was God who gave the enemies into his hand. David gave God the credit for the destruction of his enemies. He didn’t try to take the credit for himself.
So go ahead and spit, Loriann. We love you anyway.
Lorraine & Ernie
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