Earth, Wind and Time
I've always thought that I had a great belief in the power of prayer. I know in my head that God can do anything and I've articulated that to people who are going through pain. However, the belief in the power of prayer often falters when I'm going through my own trials. I know that I should be praying, but I often want to figure out a way out of the mess myself. I know that I need to turn to God, but I often turn to my own reasoning and "wisdom." Prideful, yes. Effective, no.
What God has taught me in the past few days is that not only does He theoretically have power over all, He has trustworthy control over it. This was demonstrated to me in two unrelated ways. First, in a moment of stress caused by several unexpected time constraints, a new friend grabbed my hand to pray. As she prayed she stated that we knew God controlled time and so He could enable me to accomplish things that I didn't think I had the time to do. Secondly, as Hurricane Gustav approached and time and time again I heard people asked for the destruction to be minimal, I was reminded that God controlled the storm's path. Prayer for it to change direction was just as appropriate as prayer for its projected outcome. The interesting thing was that neither my personal storm, or Hurricane Gustav were as devastating as originally projected. And while I don't know all of God's reasons for changing the path of each, I do know that one of the outcomes has been a recognition that often I pray to God for the things I know I can't do anything about - storms, sickness, and the such. But often I neglect to turn to Him in the more simple things of life like meeting my deadlines and keeping my commitments. Gustav and God have taught me that its not just the dramatic that He cares about - or in which He intervenes. Even the clock bows to His commands.
What God has taught me in the past few days is that not only does He theoretically have power over all, He has trustworthy control over it. This was demonstrated to me in two unrelated ways. First, in a moment of stress caused by several unexpected time constraints, a new friend grabbed my hand to pray. As she prayed she stated that we knew God controlled time and so He could enable me to accomplish things that I didn't think I had the time to do. Secondly, as Hurricane Gustav approached and time and time again I heard people asked for the destruction to be minimal, I was reminded that God controlled the storm's path. Prayer for it to change direction was just as appropriate as prayer for its projected outcome. The interesting thing was that neither my personal storm, or Hurricane Gustav were as devastating as originally projected. And while I don't know all of God's reasons for changing the path of each, I do know that one of the outcomes has been a recognition that often I pray to God for the things I know I can't do anything about - storms, sickness, and the such. But often I neglect to turn to Him in the more simple things of life like meeting my deadlines and keeping my commitments. Gustav and God have taught me that its not just the dramatic that He cares about - or in which He intervenes. Even the clock bows to His commands.
Labels: Prayer
posted by N.A. Winter at
8:55 PM
5 Comments:
I thought about what you were saying and I can relate. I'm a serious type A personality and a major control freak...so my friends and family say, but I was never raised religiously. I came to know God and His words only after I found out I was pregnant with my daughter at the ripe old age of 19. I've learned, and believe me it has been some learning, that God puts the hurtles in your path. No matter how hard I tried to cheat the race, God knew what was right for me. Being a young mother and trying to balance full time school, with full time work and child is no small feat. I often look disheveled and have successfully grown bags under my eyes but I know despite the stress, the exhaustion and the internal struggle to have things my way, God was always in control.
It took me a while to figure that out. When I pray, I thank the Lord for everything he has given me. Giving thanks for those trials has made me realize that they weren't as bad as I thought and I've learned to stop worrying and start realizing everything else around me.
Prayer, it changes the what if to the what is.
As a Christian, I have been told to lift everything up to God-problems, worries, concerns, even minute problems. However, when it comes down to those times when I really need God I am reluctant to fully lift everything up to Him. Even though I know that He will take care of me whether I ask Him to or not, it's still hard for me to let go and simply trust in Him. This may be because I don't trust easily from being hurt in the past, and I also like to be independent and take care of things myself.
It's hard to let go and simply have faith. Faith is a simple concept, but a harsh reality to put into practice. It's hard to trust someone that you can't physically see, but I think that you should always write down and remember the time when He clearly helped you and pulled through. That is proof that God is in your life, and it may just be proof to you, but God has sent it and shown it specifically for you. Moments like these build your faith and make you stronger and more reluctant to lift it all up to Him.
-Reagan Brown
Prayer is the tool that helps me from stressing. It is the outlet that helps me see things a little bit clearer.
When I pray I give praise to the Lord for all the wonderful things he has done for me, whether I know it or not. I ask Him for understanding and for clarity. Clarity to help me sift through the things happening in life. Understanding so that I can see the lessons and purpose for the things occuring.
On Friday afternoon, I found an extra $20 bill in my wallet. I thought and thought about where it came from. And there's no logical origin. Later that night, the Stand Up 2 Cancer special aired. When I was on hold to place a donation, my mind kept going back and forth on the amount, $20, $30, $35. When the lady on the other side of the phone asked for the donation amount, I responded "$40." Something told me to choose that amount, so I went with it. It all hit me a couple of hours after that... for the $20 the Lord gave me, he wanted me to give twice that.
After you pray, always always listen to the answer. Even if it doesn't make sense for the moment, you will realize the purpose soon after.
When I got up this morning, I had an overwhelming feeling of so much to do and so little time to do it. I was completely frustrated with all of my competing priorities and a boss that is very impatient. When I read this particular entry I immediately connected with it. I had to stop in my tracks and go to a place where I know that things will "get done." With that said, I went to prayer because God can change anything.
Being a recent cancer survivor, I understand the importance of taking care of yourself. Before I was diagnosed, I was in a job that was so demanding that I had no time for myself which caused me to put off going to the doctor to have things checked out when I felt in my body that something was wrong. I told myself that I would not allow that to happen again, especially after God has blessed me with a healthy body again. I also told myself that I would take the time to eat right, get rest when I needed it and walk closer to God. I am saddened by the fact that I have not lived up to my end of the bargain.
After I prayed, God showed me that I can only control the things that I can control. He also showed me that I need to be honest with myself and others as it relates to the things that I am not willing to give up for anything. These include my peace, my health, may family and my time for God because through the fight of my life all of these things were given to me in so many blessings.
All I have to say is thank you Lord for showing me the way again.
All too often i find myself looking at the clock and wondering where the time has gone. Sometimes I wish I could just add on a couple hours to each day, but then I realize that it isn't the day's probelm that i have not yet learned how to prioritize. When this happens I ask God for his help. But recently I've been feeling guilty for only turnign to him when i need something. I think today I'll start thanking him for giving me the precious time that he has given me and I'll have to teach myself how to use it to my advanage. My favorite part of this blog was at the end when you said "even the clock bows down to God."
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home