I've had an awakening recently - though I wish I could say it was long ago - and finally realized why I so often fall short when it comes to obeying God despite my best efforts. It's precisely because they're my best efforts! My best efforts will never get me where I need to be in my spiritual life. Never.
Do you find yourself falling into this performance trap?
I read God's Word; I hear the Holy Spirit speak; I know what He wants me to do, and yet I don't do it. Or I try, but I don't succeed.
Why is that?
It's not because I'm not determined. On the contrary I try, I labor, I strain and I strive. Do you see the problem here? I-I-I-I-I (Aye yi yi yi yi!)
If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ~ John 15:5
I can't tell you how many times I've read this verse and came away thinking, "Ok, I get it. Stay connected to Jesus." And through prayer and reading His Word I have stayed connected. As a result I became more aware of God's commands, but I still wasn't any better at keeping them. Then, finally, I was hit by the weight of those last words: apart from me you can do nothing.
Did you notice how the words in this verse start out as general (a man) and then get very specific very quickly? It's as if God's saying, "I'll produce fruit through anyone who stays connected to me, but I want you, (yes, YOU, the one reading this right now) I want you to understand that without my help you won't be accomplishing anything."
Nothing.
Nada.
Zero.
Zilch.
At last, I've come to the realization that it's possible to stay closely connected to God, hear what it is He wants me to do and still go off and try to do it all.by.my.self. How crazy is that?
I don't know about you, but I've had enough!
I'm setting aside a lifetime of trying to figure things out for myself, making my own plans and trying to make things happen. Instead, I'm consciously choosing to keep my focus on following the Lord and following His plan (which is always soooo much better than anything I could ever come up with.)
Which is why my one word for this year is "follow."
Who's with me?
I don't want to run ahead,
I don't want to lag behind,
I don't want to wander off,
I don't want to try to figure it out,
and I definitely don't want to try to do it alone!
I just want to enlist His help and FOLLOW His lead.
Lord, I shudder to think of how many times I've left your side to go carry out your command, forgetting that I'm completely incapable of accomplishing anything without you! I've wasted so much time trying to handle things on my own while you were right there all the while, just waiting for me to turn to you and ask for what I needed. If I start doing something on my own, please remind me that without you I won't be accomplishing anything of value.
Lisa
I've been known to link up with: Inspire Me Monday, Living Proverbs 31, The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates With God, Unite, M,M and M, Monday Musings, Whole-Hearted Home, Soli Deo Gloria, Titus 2sdays, Tell Me a Story, Growing Homemakers, Wise Woman, Women Helping Women, Tutorials and Tips,Tell His Story, Winsome Wednesday, Doing You Well Wednesday, Hope in Every Season, A Little R&R Wednesdays, Wholehearted Wednesdays, Inspire Me Please, Think Tank Thursdays, Thrive at Home, Thriving Thursday, The HomeAcre Hop, Faith Filled Friday, The Weekend Brew, Friendship Friday, Make My Saturday Sweet, Spiritual Sundays, Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, Sunday Stillness
Great post! I am trying to sit still long enough to listen for what God has in store for my life!
Great post! Loved your one word. And I look forward to reading what God shows you about following in the days ahead. Blessings!
I love this! I am definitely one who tries to run ahead and figure it all out on my own. Follow would be a good word for me too.
Follow is a lovely word, and I can understand leaving the side of the Master to go off and do his bidding. Instead he says, I will go with you, but we are often in such a hurry.
Thank you for sharing with us here at "Tell Me a Story."
>Gasp< You are ME! I'm still trying to choose between "listen" and "follow," but yes, I know all about that performance trap. Blessings!
(visiting from SDG)
I could relate so much to what you have said here, Lisa. I need to rely on God more and stop doing it my way too. My one word is Faith.
Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
wonderful post. Follow is the perfect word God Bless and Thank you for sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop ♥
I try to begin each day giving God the reins.....I try to allow Him the lead. Thanks for sharing this on the Thursday Blog Hop...such a good word!
Amen! Wonderful post.God is teaching me to be patient and wait on Him. I need to be following the Holy Spirit, not trying to make Him follow me! Thank you for sharing on the Cozy Reading Spot link-up :)
Amy @ http://livinglifetruth.blogspot.com/
It's a real challenge sometimes to focus on Him and not slide into other people, other things. I'm trying to go the right direction. As I'm older, it's harder. I so easily get side-tracked. All I ever hope for is serving the Lord in His World when I enter Heaven. All I ever count on. You did good sharing, good thinking. Thank you.
I hear you on this one, it is a must to set our minds to simply follow our Lord... and so easy to be distracted when our minds aren't set...
thank you for sharing this with Cozy Reading Spot
Marissa
http://forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com