Friday, May 1st, 2009 "Can I Help?"

Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Friday, May 1^st, 2009
Title: Can I Help?
Text: 2 Chronicles 7:14
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I am a typical guy in so many ways. I have refused to pull over and ask for directions when I’ve been lost. I flip the television from HGTV to ESPN every time my wife leaves the room. When no one is around, I have been known to drink straight from the milk carton. My body can make such amazing sounds that it is as if a band is preparing to play a concert. And I am far too often too proud to receive the help of those around me. Now I’m not thrilled by any of these things, but I am probably most embarrassed by the idea that I allow my hard-headedness to get in the way, and cause a lot more heartache and stress that I should have had to deal with. I know that my life could be so much easier if I would just put my pride aside and reach out to those who are willing to help me. But if I were to do that, it would mean that “My” way didn’t work. It would mean that “My” will was not done. It would mean that “I” had to depend on someone else to get me out of whatever situation I got myself into. That is hard to do.

My journey in Christ has been very similar. Many times in my life as a Christ-Follower I has basically looked at God and said, “God, you just hang out over there. I’ll take it from here. I know what I’m doing. No problem. I got this. I’ll yell if I need you.” And every time I have done this, I can picture God looking at me with an “Oh no! Here we go again.” smirk on his face. I tend to have this idea that as much as I may confess to love God, there are just some things I know more about and things that I can handle on my own. And God, like a patient parent, willingly slides aside and observes my actions from the place I have asked him to sit. In those instances I move from being a Christ-Follower to a World-Follower.

Well, we can all guess what happens next. Once I impose “My” will on the things that I’m involved in, instead of seeking “God’s” will, plan and direction for my life, things start to slowly go astray. Sure, at first I may appear to have a handle on everything. Then all of a sudden, one by one, obstacles begin to pop up and cause me some issues. I begin to realize that the plan I put in place may not have been the wisest thing to do. Eventually I see that my will is inflicting pain and suffering and stress on those I love and care about the most. I notice that the “easy road” vision I had has become a pot-hole cover highway leading me away from the safety and security of God’s presence, and straight to the destruction and hardships of this dark world. Before I know it, I am waist-deep in a sinking sand, instead of firmly planted on the solid-rock foundation of God. All because I’ve allowed my will and selfish pride to rule my life instead of giving full control to my loving God.

I am not saying that I can even begin to understand what God is thinking as all of these things are happening, but I do know that I have sat back and watched my own children pitch and fit, throw themselves on the grocery store floor and scream at the top of their lungs because they want to do it themselves. So, I too have sat back and watched TK, Carson and Avery stumble, fall and fail, as I look on thinking, “Please just let me help you before you get hurt.” I know that God is doing the same thing. I know that God must think that if I weren’t such a hard-head and if I would just lay down my pride, reach up to him and allow God to lead my way, I would not have to learn the hard way. I thank God each day that he is so loving, caring, compassion and intimately involved with each aspect of our lives that God will never turn away from us, forget about us or watch us slip away. God will never tell us that we made our own bed and now we must sleep in it. Instead, God is actively standing by and hoping to hear our cry for help. God is patiently waiting for us to humble ourselves, throw in the towel in striving to do our will and allow God’s will to guide our journey.

Now, this doesn’t mean that our worldly actions don’t bring with them worldly consequences. It doesn’t mean that God will say the magic words and the pain and destruction that our pride can cause will all go away, but it does mean that whatever we go through and whatever consequences we must endure, we will know that the hand of God is on us, and if we then continue to seek the face of The Almighty, and allow God’s will to be done in our lives, we will overcome, in this life and the life to come. It all starts by calling out. Go ahead. God’s listening. I promise.

Something to Think About:

· - In what ways have you imposed your will instead of giving control for God’s will to be done?

· - What was outcome in those circumstances?

· - Do you often find that your pride gets in the way?

· - What make us think that our way would be better than God’s way?

· - What can you change in your life to give God control?

A Few Minutes with God:
God, I pray that today, at this very moment that I will be able to lay down my pride and allow your love and your will to be in control of this life you have so graciously given to me. Help me to learn from the mistakes I have made and to realize that most of those hardships have been as a result of me imposing my will instead of seeking you and your guidance. I need your help. Amen.