“By entering through
faith into what God has always wanted to do for us… We throw open our doors to
God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to
us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand – out in
the wide open spaces of God’s grace & glory, standing tall and shouting our
praise.” (Romans
5:1-2; MSG, para.)
Romans
5:2 is one of my favorite verses. I love the imagery and I love the message.
Today as I consider the peace I find in stepping into willingness and saying, “Okay,
God,” I can’t help but think of this verse. The more I open my mind to allow
God to work however he will – even if it doesn’t look how I think I want it to
look – the more I realize he continues to set me free. When I stop being
stubborn and remove the barriers I’ve set between myself and God’s will, I
throw open my door to him. And there he is, smiling, saying, “I’m glad you came
around. Just wait and see what we’re going to do together now.”
Just
wait and see.
Yesterday,
as I stepped into willingness concerning some present stressful circumstances
(the stress all completely manifested by me, mind you), I felt less negatively overwhelmed
by not knowing what to do and more positively overwhelmed with knowing I have
options and there are things I can do
if I am willing. Open mind, open
heart, open door to God. And following my release of the white knuckle grip I
had on the situation, I began to receive affirmation in many different ways,
which confirmed for me that I am indeed stepping into God’s will with this
issue. Imagine that!
Just
wait and see.
Actively
participating in a twelve-step program often means being willing to do whatever
it takes to stay clean & sober. This often includes getting out of our
comfort zones, doing things we don’t feel like doing and going the extra mile
when we think we’ve run as far as we can. Our very lives depend on it. Stepping
into the will of God shouldn’t be any different. Am I willing to do whatever it
takes to live the life he designed for me? Even though at times it may mean
troubles, discomfort, pain, distress or struggle? God, give me the strength to say,
“Yes,” every time.
“There’s more to
come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles,
because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how
that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for
whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left
feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary – we can’t round up enough containers
to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”
(Romans
5:3-5; MSG)
Just
wait and see.
My
prayer today is that as I find freedom by throwing my door open to God and
willingly stepping into whatever he will do with me next that you also find the
courage to remove the things between you and that door. What is God calling you
to do today? Push aside those barriers, open the door and gaze into his
radiant, smiling face as he opens his arms and says, “I’m glad you came around.
Just wait and see what we’re going to do together now.”
Amen!
=D
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