Thursday, April 25th, 2024
I’m calling this blog an unplanned follow up to my last blog. Perhaps we could call it a divine realignment. As I was pondering back on what I had written there was a check in my spirit over the words “in other seasons we find ourselves desperately searching for any one of these [goodness, rest and confident steps with our Heavenly Father]”. Then the question hit me, should I really be desperate for these things, or should my only longing be for more of God? Truth be told, I have to fight back tears to ask myself that question.
Matthew 6:33 says:
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
God is the only thing we should be seeking, trusting that as we do, He will provide everything else. We know this to be true, but living this out is a lot more challenging. Which do we desire more, healing or the Healer, provision or the Provider, deliverance or the Deliverer? The difference in these words appears quite subtle, but the affect on our seeking is rather drastic. Am I seeking God because of what He can do for me or because of who He is? Are we waiting for God to prove Himself by taking that thorn from our side or are we waiting to see Who God can be in the midst of that thorn? All of this sounds so minor, but it truly is the difference between living life on empty or full.
Psalms 18:30 is one of the many promises we can cling to if we find that our seeker is a little off:
30 As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
God isn’t holding back to watch us suffer. He gave it all on the cross and His storehouses will never run out. He protects and provides for us in ways that we could never manage on our own. It has been proven time and time again for thousands of years.
Final Thoughts…
Fear tells us we may never get that healing, freedom or provision. Faith tells us we already have it. Fear tells us God has forgotten about us and won’t really do what He says. Faith says we are a child of the Most High King and we will receive all of our promises and more. Fear draws our gaze inward to the deepest and darkest places that feel broken beyond repair. Faith knows that God is the only one who can and will mine pure gold from these very same places. Fear distracts us from all the beauty and blessings that surround us every moment of the day. Faith allows us to float down the river of God knowing that whatever comes our way is touched by our Heavenly Father. Faith comes as we keep our eyes on God; fear takes over when we seek anything but Him.