I am reading a good book, "Plan B" by Pete Wilson. It's a book about what you do when your dreams are shattered or you don't feel that God is showing up the way you thought that he would in the painful circumstances of your life. Right now, just like many of you, we have circumstances going on in our lives that really weren't how I wish they were evolving. Circumstances that are painful...and so I have to choose..Do I run from God? Do I get angry or do I try to maniputale circumstances? Or do I draw closer to the One who promises never to leave me and never to forsake me?
In the book, the author tells of King David and how he becomes responsible for the slaughter of many because he lied to Ahimelech (1 Samuel 22). David not only his position, but also his wife, his wise counselor, his friend, and his self-respect. It was during times like this that David knew the only place to run was straight into the arms of God. The circumstances we walk through are often difficult, and sometimes we lose people and things that have become very dear to us, but it doesn't mean that our lives are spiraling out of control. All it means it that we are not in control. And it is in the pain that we can trust the One who has control always.
I have wrestled with God often enough in my own life to know that so many of the questions I ask of Him, will simply not have answers this side of heaven. I have learned however, that God is faithful and these circumstances didn't surprise Him and he himself will never change. As Pete Wilson writes, "our faith must rest in His identity and not necessarily in His activity.
It is easy to get discouraged when we are coming to God with our requests and nothing is happening. We wonder if he has left the building. We live in a society where we can pull up to an ATM machine at a bank, slip in a card, pinch in some information and like magic money is dispensed, so we begin to expect the same of our God. We believe that we ask in prayer and we are entitled to have whatever it is that we pray for.
There may be things or ever people who are hoding us back from the intimacy with God that he desires for us to have...He wants to get you to the place where you are willing to surrender your plans in order to receive His. Our faith is Him is meant to grow with each challenge. One of my favorite songs is "Praise You in the Storm", such a great reminder that He never leaves us and He holds every tear.
What circumstances do you need to lay at His feet today? He promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw nearer to us."
