4 little words
Among the many lessons I've learned over the last decade (wow, it's been ten years!), one of them was that these four little words had the biggest impact on the planet earth.
They are "Thy will be done." They were spoken by Jesus in the garden. He asked for another way, but in the end, He told the Father, not His will, but God's will be done. I've had to learn that God's plan is best and His way is perfect. I've heard that three different times in the last two days, from three different places.
I can't help if something is up.
I've had a chance to reflect this last week or so on where I was ten years ago, and some of the things I learned. I wrote about part of that lesson on Friday. It's that we can make choices but we can't choose the consequences of those choices. I spoke about choices t on Saturday evening at the Rescue Mission. I got an e-mail today that reminded me that sin creates ripples like when you throw a rock into a pond and the ripples go out from the splash.
I lived with the consequences of my poor choices for a year. I know God has used those consequences, to not only change me, but to demonstrate to me in a very vivid way how Romans 8:28 is Truth. He also reminded me that the ripples go on and on, despite time and distance. The e-mail linked to a podcast whose title referred to learning one's lessons.
In a very odd conversation tonight, I got reminded of Amos 3:7. And it's why I'm paying attention to those four little words. And in that same conversation, I got reminded of the financial ramifications of those poor choices. In a very real way, had I not made the poor choices I did, my retirement account would be worth quite a bit more money than it is now. Sins have a cost. Sometimes it's financial. Sometimes, it's far, far worse.
I wonder. I think that's a good thing to do. And I reflect. Which is also a good thing to do. I am reflecting on the lessons learned. And to refresh your memory, here is a small list:
He is God. I am not. That means in His time and His way. Not mine.
I can make choices. I cannot choose the consequences of those choices.
Don't give back that which God gives you for you. He could give it to someone else.
Don't disobey God.
Love. Unconditionally
Don't make hasty decisions.
I think I'm gonna be glad I remembered to write those down and reviewed them tonight. Especially that last one.
Anyway, one thing Pastor Dave from our coffee group keeps asking me is if I'm holding things open in my hands. I am because of the first rule on that list, and the example my Lord set for me. There wasn't another way and Jesus set aside His will for the Father's. God knows us and He knows our desires, our dreams, our struggles. But He also gives us wisdom, and when it comes to these four words, He gave us the ultimate example of surrender. His Will Be done. Even when it came to Jesus.
So, we will see what happens. Whatever it is, God's on His throne and in control. His will be done.
They are "Thy will be done." They were spoken by Jesus in the garden. He asked for another way, but in the end, He told the Father, not His will, but God's will be done. I've had to learn that God's plan is best and His way is perfect. I've heard that three different times in the last two days, from three different places.
I can't help if something is up.
I've had a chance to reflect this last week or so on where I was ten years ago, and some of the things I learned. I wrote about part of that lesson on Friday. It's that we can make choices but we can't choose the consequences of those choices. I spoke about choices t on Saturday evening at the Rescue Mission. I got an e-mail today that reminded me that sin creates ripples like when you throw a rock into a pond and the ripples go out from the splash.
I lived with the consequences of my poor choices for a year. I know God has used those consequences, to not only change me, but to demonstrate to me in a very vivid way how Romans 8:28 is Truth. He also reminded me that the ripples go on and on, despite time and distance. The e-mail linked to a podcast whose title referred to learning one's lessons.
In a very odd conversation tonight, I got reminded of Amos 3:7. And it's why I'm paying attention to those four little words. And in that same conversation, I got reminded of the financial ramifications of those poor choices. In a very real way, had I not made the poor choices I did, my retirement account would be worth quite a bit more money than it is now. Sins have a cost. Sometimes it's financial. Sometimes, it's far, far worse.
I wonder. I think that's a good thing to do. And I reflect. Which is also a good thing to do. I am reflecting on the lessons learned. And to refresh your memory, here is a small list:
He is God. I am not. That means in His time and His way. Not mine.
I can make choices. I cannot choose the consequences of those choices.
Don't give back that which God gives you for you. He could give it to someone else.
Don't disobey God.
Love. Unconditionally
Don't make hasty decisions.
I think I'm gonna be glad I remembered to write those down and reviewed them tonight. Especially that last one.
Anyway, one thing Pastor Dave from our coffee group keeps asking me is if I'm holding things open in my hands. I am because of the first rule on that list, and the example my Lord set for me. There wasn't another way and Jesus set aside His will for the Father's. God knows us and He knows our desires, our dreams, our struggles. But He also gives us wisdom, and when it comes to these four words, He gave us the ultimate example of surrender. His Will Be done. Even when it came to Jesus.
So, we will see what happens. Whatever it is, God's on His throne and in control. His will be done.
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