God is asking me that question. And as I try to stick my fingers in my ears and go "lalalalalala" that does not block Him out. The question is resounding in my spirit. Really what He has been saying to me is something along the lines of "why are you not still willing"? So easy for me to say whatever you want Lord, but far different to actually DO it.
Months ago I would have said I am willing to reconcile with Don. Not so sure about that any more - not that Don is asking. It's God that is asking me. He may not be asking that of me because it's going to happen but because my heart has moved from one of openness and obedience to HIS leading. "You used to be willing, why are not still willing?" Because my life feels better. Because there is less stress. Because I am selfish. Because I am afraid. Because I am...
Does not matter what my reasons may be, they are not okay with the Lord. I must stay open to His leading whatever that holds. We all must. And sometimes that leading takes us down a road we would just as soon not travel. What is He asking you to be willing to do? He may not ask you to do it, but are you willing? Is there someone out there that needs to be forgiven? Fear you need to set aside? Relationships that need mending? Habits that need to be set down? A comfort zone that needs to be walked out of? A dream that needs to be let go? Are you willing?
We say things all the time like "I believe He has plans to prosper me and give me a hope and a future". I believe "that all things work together for good". I believe "He would not allow this unless He can bring something better". I believe "He is trustworthy and loves me". Okay....we say them but do we believe them? If we truly believe them then we would be willing. I want to "stay willing". Oh Lord, that scares me. That means I say I am yours, I give up control, I will not hinder your will in my life or the lives of others. Yikes! That means I am not in control...and what a lie to think we ever really were. And that we could do it better than He who holds all things.
Be willing...He may not ask it of you or of me...but BE WILLING.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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23 comments:
Oh Sheryl,
Thanks for the post this morning. I think we all fight being completely willing. It truly is scary, but at the same time it's sooooo good when we know we are in His will doing/acting the way He wants us to. Usually where He wants to take us is the last place we want to go, but if we get there we won't want to leave. I'm praying for you, my friend.
Love ya,
Hulie
Sheryl,
You continue to amaze me with your beautiful words that I know are speaking to so many others, including myself.
I think it goes along with where we are in our study. Really being able to surrender to God because we believe Him. Not just believe in Him, but that He is faithful in all things.
Thanks again for sharing!
Love ya,
Kim
Sheryl,
I've been put in my place on this topic this week. If you'd like to read about it, you can here:
http://travelingtheroadhome.blogspot.com/2008/09/making-mockery.html
True words, friend...true words.
Love,
Melinda
yes, thank you Sheryl. I know that God has been patiently waiting for me to let Him in further, to trust Him more. I know that the hurts and struggles my husband & I are going thru right now can only be resolved by me giving myself completely to both of them....... I just don't know why I am resisting. What is it I am afraid of? probably very much that loss of control you talk about. As if I had any control when my husband was a raging drug addict. What do I have to lose?
Thank you for this reminder! I struggle with this too but it is all something we must do! Please know I am still praying for you!
Love,
kristy
Sheryl,
This is good.
When you said: "Because my life feels better. Because there is less stress. Because I am selfish. Because I am afraid. Because I am..." I wondered if that is what Chris feels and if those are his excuses for being so, so unwilling. They are understandable. It is understandable to be afraid of the past reoccuring. It's understandable to enjoy the better and less stress life. But oh, how I wish he would be willing. For you see, I believe in both of our situations that God would not call us to be reconciled if it weren't better. I believe the day Don returns is the day he has the Lord as his life and therefore your life together will be better and out of this world. The same for me. I believe the day Chris sees the Light of his Father God, he will return and things will be much better. God must change and mold us as individuals and then He can and will change us together in marriage.
This of course is not prophecy but rather my beliefs based on God's Word and His love for us.
Thanks for sharing this. Thanks for your comment on my blog. Hope to hear from you again soon. Email anytime.
Love ya,
Paula
Dearest Sheryl,
You always amaze me with your insight and honesty. You are a writer whether you acknowlege it or not. God has brought all of us together for a purpose. Let us be willing to follow His will and lift each other by praying
DEAR FATHER,
HELP OUR UNBELIEF.
Love, LINDA
Amazing..and amen sister!
Sheryl,
I think everyone is right in saying that we are all fighting to be willing to do whatever God has planned for us. I know, for me, fear is what holds me back. Praying for you and your family always.
Love ya much,
Kimberly
Hey dear. In reading your blog there were so many "me too" moments and now in reading the comments everyone has left, I see that we seem to all be struggling with the same exact things. How many days do we waste (or maybe I should only speak for myself) clogging ourselves up with fears that may never be realized. I'm so guilty. Thanks for your insight.
Rebecca
Isn't it funny how we fear giving up control when we never had it anyway???
It's true, we are often unwilling to follow the Lord down a path that we may not want to walk. What always trips me up, though is how to go from the knowledge that I should be willing, to genuine willingness?
Sheryl-
Thank you for a truly beautiful and inspiring post (as always). I have said these statements you referred to over and over. How I pray that we will be all willing to His will and not ours.
God bless you Sheryl in your pursuit of the Lord.
Myriam
Hey Sheryl
I signed in with the wrong blogger ID before commenting on your blog (still Myriam but from a different blog name).
Sheryl
Trust Him and let him lead. He already knows where the path will end. Now, go and follow him.
Denise in Texas
(preparing for Ike)
"...give up control"
I think that's IT in a nutshell. Pride gets in the way too many times, self & excuses hinder the work of the Holy Spirit, and the Lord surely knows my heart is sad (frustrated, angry, heartbroken, ashamed...) once again.
Praise God, His mercies are new every morning! Forgive me... cleanse me... renew me and make me whole, my Father. Thank you, Lord. Also, thank you as we uplift one another by friendship, love & prayers.
Susan T.
Am I willing? Great question and you are so right...we love to say that we are (and quote all the right verses) but what we do and how we respond to that question is a whole other thing. Do I really believe and thus respond in faith?...not always, not even close. Praise the Lord He is faithful and He is enough and He remembers my frame,that I am but dust.
love your blog
Hi Sheryl,
I just wrote on my blog about being a willing vessel, I once imagined me as the clay just sitting on the shelf watching as all the other clay were taken off the shelf being molded, formed, and finally transormed into willing vessels ready to be used for the masters glory. I was still there because as much as I was ready, my heart was not willing, no I wasn't being punished by not having a willing spirit, the Lord is so caring and loving and wasn't forcing me to yeild to something I was not ready to yeild to. I don't know why I'm writing this to you, maybe you know. God loves you so much Sheryl and I know he comforts you even in the midnight hours you are not alone. One day you will look back and be so amazed at how the Lord walked you through this journey. He wants all of you right now, he wants you to leave everything and everyone in his hands. He wants you all to himself, so he can speak and minister to your soul without any distractions. I pray for you often and you bless me more than you know. One day at a time my sister, please don't be so hard on yourself, you are loved!!
Hugz Lorie
My sweet sista
I thought I had left a response but maybe not
Your words is so inspiring and what God is calling and reminding me to be willing. He loves us, we are his own, and all he asks is that we leave our hearts in his hands.
Sheryl-one of my favorite Beth Moore quotes (at least I think I got it from her-I have been using it over 4 years now)is from a prayer I either heard from her or read in one of her books "Lord I am willing to be made willing". I quote this, pray this and journal this everytime it is brought to my attention that my mind and heart are saying and doing opposite things.
Saying we are willing and being willing can be two different things. I am working on this too!
Blessings!
In His Graces~Pamela
I stumbled across your blog, and it just amazes me how GOD leads us to pray & love one another with different needs from our own. The one thing we have in common though, is that we are all on the same journey (life) trying to get to the same place. If GOD put us all on the same route, then I guess life would be pretty boring. I am BLESSED that I found your blog and will continue to stop by. I will pray for you, your children and for GOD's will in your marriage.
Great honesty in your post! The Lord will bless you for your obedience to Him.
Just found you via blog hoppin today! Glad I did!
Hang in there and keep trusting in Him for all things. It does pay off!
Grace & Peace, Heather
Hey~found you via comments left on another blog (can't remember which one)...this is great fun and so encouraging! Thanks for your willingness to be open to the Lord and may He continue to draw you close and use you. I think we are neighbors, did you guys get water-logged too?...and Taylor buds!
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