There are many times we can go along thinking we are doing pretty good in our walk with the Lord.  Then, all of a sudden, we are caught by a hidden sinful attitude that only the Lord could expose.  As embarrassing as it may be, I feel I am suppose to share a recent experience of mine.

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The Assignment

A person needs to have a measure of discipline if they are going to have a growing relationship with the Lord.  There has to be time set aside to meet with Him and make a real connection.  My discipline is fairly simple.  I’m up early and get around for the day.  After a bite of breakfast and my morning coffee (an absolute necessity), I head up to my office and shut myself in.  Once there I have a couple of devotionals that I read.  I then look to the Lord to see if He has anything He would like to say to me personally.

One day last week was just like any other day.  I noticed, however, that I just seemed to be alive on the inside.  I was very aware of the Lord’s Presence.  As I looked to Him, He began downloading an assignment to me.  I could tell by the way it all fell together that it was definitely from Him.  My response?

“Pffft!  I can’t see how THAT could happen!”

Given the current flow of my life, I just couldn’t see how this assignment would fit in.  Nevertheless, I made a few notes in my computer, outlining the basics of what the Lord laid on my heart.  I made a somewhat half-hearted commitment to the task.  The raw truth was, however, that I was actually a little miffed with the Lord for putting this on me.

The Next Day

The next day things were definitely not the same.  In fact, I had a rather interesting conversation with the Lord that went something like this.

“Why do you despise My word?”

Excuse me?

“Why do you despise My word?  I did not give you that assignment to scoff at.  I gave it to you because I want you to complete it.  With the assignment comes the grace to fulfill it.  Isn’t that what you have taught others?”

Oh, boy!  I was caught and I knew it.  I hadn’t meant to despise the Lord’s directive, but, in reality, that is exactly what I did.  I related to His assignment only in relation to myself.  I totally left the Lord out of the picture.  That is why I couldn’t see any way to fulfill it.  I was so embarrassed.  I couldn’t believe I had responded to the Lord that way.

Needless to say, I began to repent quickly.  Once I got my thinking sorted out and truly submitted to the Lord, things began to fall into place for the fulfilling of the assignment.  Although I still find the thought of it a bit challenging, I am also somewhat excited to see how it will all work out.

The Proper Response

What is the proper way for us to respond when the Lord gives us a directive?  I believe Proverbs 3:5 – 6 give us the key.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,                                                                                          and do not lean on your own understanding.

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,                                                                                             and he will make straight your paths.

Instead of trying to figure things out on our own, we need to look to the Lord every step of the way.  As we fully put our trust in Him, He will guide us through all the twists and turns involved.  This is the only way forward for those seeking to live in the Reign.

M

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.