Note to self: Stop Striving

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”~Psalm 46:10

I started this blog because I felt the Lord leading me to share with others the words that He lays on my heart.  I wanted to be an instrument of encouragement and a witness to the beauty of God as He continually transforms me through His Spirit ( Romans 12:2).

In doing so God has also allowed me a space to discover a love for writing and a means to process what I hear from.  A means of putting it down on paper so that I can make “tangible” those things that are intangible.  It has been a blessing to pour out myself to others for His glory.

However, I must also be aware of my propensity to strive to do His work rather than just trusting in Him.  God has called me to proclaim His word and He has graciously allowed me to be a participant, but I can not let the call supersede the One who has called me to it.  My good intentions fail in comparison to His will.  I must learn to be at peace and rest in just being the conduit He chooses to work through ( John 15:4).  I don’t need to create the work because He has already prepared the work for me in advance ( Ephesians 2:10).

No, I just need to be still.  I need to listen so that I can discern His voice.  So that I can hear whatever He tells me to do next.  I don’t need to see the outcome that He has already promised to me if I obey.  An outcome where His name will be glorified.  An outcome where others will be drawn unto Him as He is lifted up ( John 12:32).  An outcome of peace and the hope of hearing Him say, by the grace of God, well done my good and faithful servant ( Matthew 25:23).

This applies not only to the ministry, but in my everyday walk with the Lord. I must stop striving to be the perfect wife,  mom, or daughter.  I have to stop striving to get everything right on the job. Yes, I want my conscience to be clear before God and man ( Acts 24:16).   But He has told me to trust in Him, to seek Him first, to yield my life to Him and then allow Him to work it all for my good and His purpose ( Romans 8:28).  He will work  things out in my home, relationships, and on my job if I just learn to be still and trust Him to be God.  

I don’t have to strive for those things. No, all I have to do is surrender to His will and be still. Be still enough to see the amazing awesomeness of God completing His work in me ( Philippians 1:6).  He is God and He excellent at being God. I must keep myself out of the way and off of the throne where only He belongs. I can’t let my intentions create a mess.

Lord, this is not my blog nor is my ministry.  It all belongs to You.  Do with it as You will.  Do with me as You will.  May I be still before You and trust You to provide whatever it is You have for me to do. Forgive me for those times when I strive rather than rest in your sovereignty.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen