Recently, I heard a preacher relate a personal story from early in his ministry that got my attention.
He told of a time when he was hard at work building his ministry.
He was in a hurry and traffic was frustrating him.
We all know what that feels like!
The Spirit started a dialogue that went like this:
“Son, am I a part of you plans?”
He replied, “Of course, Lord!”
“Son, wouldn’t it be better if you were part of My plan?”
Stunned silence.
“Son, am I part of your life?”
He relied, “Of course, Lord!”
“Son, wouldn’t it be better if you were part of My Life?”
Again, he was stunned.
It is so easy to fall into the trap of pursuing what we want to do ‘for’ the Lord instead of letting Him simply invite us to join Him what He is doing.
Personally, I know that the enemy uses both fear and pride to trip me up into doing my own thing instead of connecting with the Lord’s agenda for my day.
Fear that He might ask me to do something uncomfortable and pride that simply wants to do what it wants to do when it wants to do it.
Now I know that growth occurs the most when I am uncomfortable.
I suppose that is why we call them growing ‘pains.’
If I had to sum up God’s goal for us, it would be to make us like Jesus.
How is that manifest?
It is a mindset that leads to godly choices in line with His will for us.
In John 15:10, we are told that if we walk in obedience to God, we will experience His love for us.
Knowing and believing that He first loved us and will always be motivated by love for us, empowers us to choose obedience.
In Philippines 2:5-8, we are instructed to have the mindset of Jesus.
This is summarized in a mindset of total dependence on and total surrender to the Father and His will for us.
Jesus demonstrated that by going to the cross and dying for our sins even after asking the Father if there were any other options.
He humbled Himself and was obedient to the Father’s plan.
So, beloved, let’s make it a habit to ask three simple questions throughout our day:
- “Lord, what do You want to do with me now?”
- “Lord, why is this next on our agenda?” and
- “Lord, what else do I need to know?”
In our Journey Tools course, this is known as the Agenda compass.
It helps us stay on course with His plan for us all day long.
I hope it helps you as it has helps me and so many of our students.
Blessings!
Robyn Henning