05/09/2023
Does God reveal Himself to you each day? If you are anticipating a revelation of God, you are more than likely going to receive it. Looking for Him implies that He is central to your life, and has replaced yourself as the driving force in your life.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
When we look inward for the answer to our problems, we get a solution that is limited by our own intellect and experience, but when we turn to God the possibilities are endless.
So many people let pride dictate their approach to problems... "I have this! I don't need God to help me." In fact, God's solution will be perfect and without flaw. Sure you can solve many puzzles in your life, but wouldn't it be better if you didn't have to try several pieces before finding a perfect fit... or not having to force pieces together? Learning to look to our Father before beginning any task is not only the right thing to do, but will reduce the stress we feel as well.
“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19:26 ESV
When I was young I loved to go fishing with my father; he was an expert fisherman and I always wanted to impress him by being just as good as he was. One weekend we went trout fishing in the George Washington National Forest. I had never been trout fishing before, so in the weeks leading up to our trip I read everything I could get my hands on about how to wade a river and catch trout.
Finally the morning of the fishing trip came. We drove to a secluded stretch of river that was no wider than a two lane road, crystal clear, and flowing cold and shallow. I put on my hip waders and moved to the edge of the river. My dad joined me and asked "Do you want me to show you how to go about this?" Of course I told him "no"... I had read all there was on the subject and I could do this all on my own. My father said "good; why don't you wade in and fish down to the first bridge and wait there for me." I waded into the beautiful rock filled river and began to fish every eddy and undercut. I was meticulous in my efforts and employed every trick and skill I had read about. I fished so thoroughly that I was sure there weren’t any trout in that river, and that there wouldn't be a single trout for my dad to catch.
After some time I arrived at the first bridge and walked up on the bank. I could see my father rounding the bend upstream and in a moment he was standing beside me. Dad asked me how many I had caught... to which I responded... "I don't think there are any trout in this river. I fished every ripple, eddy, and rock, but there was nothing there!" I was really disappointed that he had brought me to a place that didn't have a single trout in it. He just smiled at me, and when I had vented long enough, he opened the top of his creel and showed me several beautiful rainbow trout he had caught. If nothing else, I should have traumatized every trout in that stretch of the river... but there they were. I fell quiet, and after a painful pause he asked "are you ready to learn how to catch trout now?" Sheepishly I mumbled "yes sir", and he began to teach me.
Our Heavenly Father will let us attempt to solve problems just like my earthly father let me try to catch trout. When at last we are frustrated or the solution comes out half baked, He will gently ask "are you ready to learn now?" Looking to God shouldn't be our last resort... it should be our first option.
When I finally learned that being with my father wasn't about competition or proving myself, our relationship turned into a close and loving one. God wants us to have that same relationship with Him... He wants to enjoy being with us, and wants us to cherish every minute of our time with Him.
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
Proverbs 8:17 KJV
Open your eyes and your heart to God, and let Him reveal Himself to you. If you do that, then you will find that the love is in the lessons He teaches, and not in proving yourself capable.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the patience you have with me. Thank you for not losing your temper with me when I am belligerent or don't know how to express my love and faith in you. Holy Father, there is nothing I want more than your approval and love; help me to trust enough in you to wait as you demonstrate your care for me. Jesus, you made fishers of men out of Peter and Andrew... please do the same for me Lord. Hear me asking for your guidance, and then not only show me the solution I need, but also appreciate how difficult it was for me to let go. Releasing my grasp takes almost all the love I have. In my headstrong nature I find this to be the greatest challenge in establishing a relationship with you. Help me Lord Jesus to overcome my pride in self before it does me harm... help me to defeat it before I have reached the end of my rope, and need to be shown that what should have been a lesson has become a rescue. Teach me to be a fisher of men, not as I have understood this to be, but just as you are.
Rich Forbes