Second Friday of Advent

Advent Reading

Psalm 1; Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19

"If you had listened....." 

When I don't follow God's leading I miss the fullness of what was given. Why do I find it so hard to follow God's ways? Why do I struggle with the same sins over and over? Do you ever ask these questions?

I had a light bulb moment several years ago. Though it changed the way I think and approach my relationship with God, and in doing so it has freed me ever so much, I still struggle in the growing process..

"Willpower, determination and discipline are not enough in Christ-following. The close interconnection of will and desire means that if Christ is to have our will, he must first have my heart. Learning to desire God's will is not something we can accomplish by resolve and willpower.  It occurs only when we live so close to God's heart that the rhythm of our own heartbeat comes to reflect the divine pulse."

"Surrendering to God's will makes little sense if we are not first convinced of the depths of God's love for us. But surrender is far from complete and we have yet to unwrap the gift of our true-self-in-Christ until we are fully convinced of the absolute trustworthiness of God's will. Learning to prefer God's way to ours and discovering our identity and fulfillment in God's kingdom way demands that we know Love, deeply and personally. Only then will it be possible to choose God with the totality of our being, not just our will. The problem is that when we approach the task of choosing anything other than our own self and its immediate gratification, most of us automatically turn to willpower and resolve. Choosing God then becomes more a matter of grim determination than joyful surrender - closer to deciding to cut back on eating enjoyable foods than to follow our heart to the Source of abundant life."  (words in quotations are from David Benner, Desiring God's Will)

Do I ,  really believe God is good? That he has my best at heart? That his way is best? Do you?  Or do I sometimes believe as Eve did that God is holding out on me, keeping something good from me? Do I trust him enough to surrender my way for his and to follow his path? More than I did last year, but there is still a journey ahead of me. As I come to know him more deeply it is easier to trust.  

"I am  God, your God who teaches you how to live right and well.  I show you what to do, where to go.

Isaiah 48:17

Present tense

LORD, you offer to lead us, to show us what to do, where to go. And it is a good way.  As we draw near to you this season may our hearts be changed. May we grow in our trust of you, may we know your leading is good and trustworthy. You who gave everything to make the restoration and healing of our hearts possible, thank you. Thank you for the gift you so freely offer, thank you for totally accepting us where we are, thank you for continuing to draw us, thank you for your leading and guidance. Thank you!

Amen