A Blog for the New Year

I had not seen my friend Sandy* in a LOT of years ~ too many really. Early this fall we ended up at the same conference--being with Sandy again was one of the highlights of the week. We talked about children and GRAND-children and all that normal getting caught up type of stuff. But then our conversations turned to listening to God. As we parted ways at the end of the week, Sandy said,

I want to listen to God and see what my contribution should be at this point of my life.

I hope He doesn't want me to do something I don't want to do.

RED FLAG!

I tried to encourage Sandy in our last minutes together.

God knew her even before she was conceived; God knit her together in her mother's womb; God gave her gifts, abilities, desires and His greatest glory and her greatest good is realized as she lives those out. God won't ask of her something He has not designed and prepared her for.

All true. Then, God whispered in my ear, Sue, you could be Sandy's twin. Conviction. I hadn't voiced her words, but my life echoed her feelings--in a different kind of way. Every-time I wish that I had "her" opportunities, or every-time I'm jealous of "her" position, or every-time I fell less spiritual or more insecure or less important because I was not asked to do whatever, my life communicates I'm not happy with how God created me. I'm not trusting God who knew me before I was conceived, who knit me together in my mother's womb, who gave me gifts, abilities, and desires that will only be realized as I live them out. And those gifts, abilities, and desires are given for His greatest glory and my greatest good. And that's what I want--really!

Same issues; different symptoms.

We are both denying that God is good.

We are both thinking God might have made some mistakes in our creation.

We are both denying that God knows us better than we know ourselves.

We are both denying that it is God who gave us our desires, gifts, and abilities.

Father, please help me to trust You--just for today--that You are good; that You are wise; that You are all knowing; that You created me in a way that would be for Your greatest glory and my greatest good. Thank You. amen.

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11