Two days ago, while doing one of my least favorite things—getting my teeth cleaned—I was able to watch one of the HGTV home renovation shows. Since we no longer have cable most of those shows are not available to us. Whenever I get the opportunity to tune in though, I am mesmerized by the designs, transformations, and how quickly (even though we know better) they seem to come together. In a flash of sudden clarity I began to understand that in all facets of our lives we can get swept up in wanting everything immediately. Even in our walk with the Lord.
As I sat captive in the dentist’s chair. I realized I had been praying for the quick and easy fix—the way I thought best—for something I had been dealing with for awhile. Like some of those dazzling home renovations, I wanted prayer answered in a snap.
The Lord began to show me that if He answered the way I desired, the root of the problem would remain. It would continue to rear its ugly head again. And again. And again. What is becoming clear is that the work the Lord has been doing in my heart is so much better than what I thought I desperately needed. He has been answering as He sees fit, giving me far more than I can imagine or think. He promises that. (See Ephesians 3:17.)
But do you know what had to happen first? He had—and continues—to dismantle and implode everything that came from self efforts. If for one second we believe that it’s how good a Christian we are, or that it’s what we have done for God that counts, then corrosive, deceitful pride is at work within our hearts. So much of the time we don’t realize, like a vicious vine of poison ivy, it’s there.
What has begun to blossom within me is how thankful I am for how slowly the Lord has been answering my request. For He has shown me that in doing it His way instead of mine that:
- He is replacing the false foundations of my legalistic efforts with pillars of His strength and His faith.
- He is filling me with His love that I had tried to manufacture for so many years.
- He is teaching me that it is His willing spirit, not mine, that holds me up. He is my savior. Not me.
(See Galatians 1-6 and Psalm 5:12).
We have to come to the place where we completely depend on Jesus. That’s what true faith is. Thank God, He is the One who does it. (See Colossians 1:27, Philippians 2:13).
Related Post: The Faith of No Matter What
Psalm 51:12 in the King James version reads:
“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
Amen, Lord. Amen
Heavenly Father,
Your Word tells us that it is You who is at work in our hearts “…to will and to do of his [Your] good pleasure.”* Thank You, Father, that You don’t leave us to ourselves. Thank You for your timing, Your wisdom, and Your love.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Much love in Him,
Kimberly
*Philippians 2:13 nkjv, brackets mine
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
– Ephesians 3:20-21 nkjv
