There are obviously so many lessons here. But what I want to share is a scripture that continues to ring in my heart long after I’ve closed the Book on these passages. When Nathan came to David he told him a story to give David an opportunity to recognize himself in the story and repent. Probably because David was so far away from God at the time he didn’t even see himself in the narrative but instead judged the man in the story harshly. You know how it goes from there… Nathan says to David, “YOU are the man!” Nathan continues in his Holy Spirit-inspired reproof listing out the ways God had supernaturally taken care of David. “I anointed you king, I saved you from Saul, I gave you his house, I gave you the kingdoms…”.God goes on to say to David, “… and if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more.” II Sam 12:8
These are the words that keep coming up in my heart as I go about my days recently. “… and if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more.” I am so moved by these few words that describe so perfectly the heart of my Heavenly Father. “…and if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more.”
It is His heart for me AND for every one of his children.
I’m asking myself (and God) what is the much, much more I’m missing in my life as a result of doing things my own way, my own calculating, my own planning? Are there places in my heart, things in my life where I am in such a rut of controlling things a certain comfortable way that I don’t even recognize You when you are getting every answer to me and I just don’t see it? For me, like King David, if I’ll look at what I judge harshly in others I can usually find where my own faults lie. And like King David, I miss out on the "much, much more" by refusing to lay parts of me at the feet of Jesus and by holding on to them I settle for so much less.
What about you? Maybe you can't even recognize God when he sends help because of stubbornly doing life your own way? Are there places in your heart God wants to fill with more but maybe you don’t even see the obvious?
2 comments:
MORE of me equals LESS of Him...what an amazing post. So insightful and interesting and PERFECT for me to read. Thanks for sharing it.
I have been thinking about your questions this weekend. I think the majority of Christians, if they were being honest, would admit that there are places in our hearts that God wants to fill...I would include myself in the group. IMO, we never actually arrive or accomplish everything that there is in the Christian life. That doesn't mean that we don't continually grow and seek God.
I think sometimes we don't ask God what that is out of ignorance. As you said, "Maybe you can't even recognize God when he sends help because of stubbornly doing life your own way? Are there places in your heart God wants to fill with more but maybe you don’t even see the obvious?"
Then there are other times that we don't ask because we're comfortable where we are. Maybe it seems too difficult or hard. Maybe the thought of change is more than some can handle.
Then I see a third group...this group can't plead ignorance and they can't really play the comfort card. They know that God has "much, much more" in store for them. They even desire it. There is just something that stands in the way, and I think it is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of __________. You can feel in the blank with all sorts of options.
I don't think this is a comprehensive list, but most likely three common groups. I know I have been in all three at different times in my life. Right now, I would say that I am in that last group. I know 1 John 4:18 and similar verses, but I am being honest about where I am right now. I am spending a lot of time seeking God so that I can receive this "much, much more" in my life. However, I have a feeling even when this is all settled there will still be "much, much more" that God wants to give me...and us all!
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