"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
I heard a fantastic message by Andy Stanley Tuesday. (Click this link then select the sermon from 6/24/07.) It struck me squarely between the eyes when I was listening. Since then, I have had so many opportunities to apply it, I felt compelled to pass it on. The more I have mulled it over, the more challenged I have been.
For those of you who do not have the time/ability to watch the video, here's the bottomline: In every arena of life, we need to lean hard--not into information, facts, experience (even those from God) but into the person of God Himself. It is an every day, every moment thing.
Andy talks about our tendency to "consult God" through prayer, but if we are honest, ultimately that is just a portion of the formula we use to make our decisions. We are, in fact, leaning on our knowledge and experience as opposed to truly leaning into God. We don't need more information, we need submission.
Holy cow, I was convicted. My competence and pride are my own worst enemy. I feel like I am "saving God the trouble" by taking care of most of the daily stuff of my life on my own. I treat God all-too-often like a rubber stamp. I acknowledge him, but I do not lean into Him until things get desperate.
Part of the reason I got really serious about my daily quiet times was conviction about the importance of things I was doing each day without leaning on God. Raising my children. Building a marriage relationship. Serving on our church's pastor search committee. Leading Young Life committee. Making decisions about the management of a non-profit children's home. Living out a testimony. Offering advice to friends. Writing this blog.
Andy concluded his sermon with the following points, "pride eventually overrides wisdom and arrogance overrides common sense." I was reminded that the times I see these verses quoted are when people are in dire straits...but what are we doing before we get there?
This is life changing, good stuff. This is where the rubber meets the road. What are we leaning on?
2 comments:
JMom,
I read your blog everyday but my daughters (one of whom you know) only read occasionally. I forwarded the link to Andy Stanley's message to both of them. I love leaning "into God"...leaning on the everlasting arms...like a child leaning into his parent...as close as possible...Good stuff! Thanks!
I am really going to let all of this marinate. Great reminder of how to stop myself in my busy little tracks and ask for guidance.
I have a hard time leaning on anyone, but during my moments of clarity and complete honesty I realize this is one of my biggest flaws. The message makes a lot of sense to me. I spend a lot of time trying to figure things out myself when God is always right there waiting for me to call on him as I should.
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