Thursday, September 15, 2011

Seek God In All Things

Then Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike.” -- Matthew 11:25

Following God isn’t always easy, especially when the folks in the bleachers are loudly proclaiming that you should do something else. It seems that everyone has an opinion. How do you recognize God’s voice in all the chaos?

Sometimes it really gets frustrating. I’m trying so hard to do exactly what God wants me to do but it’s never quite right. I’m being battered by the storm of opinion even as I cling to my rock with everything I’ve got. I’m sure some of you know exactly what I mean.

I know I should laugh. It’s ridiculous. Really, it is. People should know better than to try and micromanage someone else’s life. Why do they think they have all the answers? They should get their own lives together first. They don’t see it that way.

I’m coming to understand more and more than those who go out and judge others so thoroughly really are arrogant. They also don’t have a clue. How could they? When you know everything, you don’t seek answers.

I have many, many faults but I want always to be someone who seeks God’s opinion first. I want to do His will in all things at all times. Partly I want to do that because I love Him and I know He loves me. But, honestly, I also know how disastrous life can quickly become when I don’t do what He wants me to do or I do something He has told me not to do.

But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent.

-- 2 Corinthians 11:3

This is my fear. What if I mistake all the voices around me as His? What if I give in to the persuasion of those who seek their will and not His? What if I make a misstep and head in the wrong direction?

So I pray. And I pray. And I pray some more, being sure to take time to listen for His voice. I read my Bible. I meditate on Scripture. Does it calm my soul? Sometimes it does and sometimes the disapproving voices of others still echo in my mind.

I am thankful that God knows my heart. He knows my desire to do His will in all things. That is where I find my peace.