Drops of Sunshine - Daily Bread

 

 

 

I didn't used to care much for thinking about future goals. I would often dread the 5-year plan when advisors wanted to discuss it. Looking toward my future seemed intimidating. What if I failed? What if it took more than 5 years to achieve those goals? What if??!! What matters most is our persistence. So what if it takes more time than originally planned? Do we give up? No. That's the way our faith walk should be. It doesn't matter how a situation looks. We need to believe and trust that God is greater than our fear and keep marching forward.

Two of my favorite words are Consistent and Persistent. They are on display in the bible with the parable of the persistent widow. If we trust God enough to make our request of him, then trust him enough to deliver. Don't give up because it seems like it's taking longer than you'd like. Exercise consistency and persistency. If you find yourself struggling in either area, guess what? You can pray and ask God for the help needed to develop.

 Years ago, I remember hearing my mother speak about the importance of being faithful with our ask. If I really want what I'm asking for, then my request is consistent. But there is another aspect to this when it comes to our prayer lives. What we do while waiting is just as essential as the request. If I trust God enough to make my requests known to him, then I need to live knowing he not only heard me, but is readying me to receive more than I can imagine.

Recently, I got a text message from a friend. I read the message and knew how to reply, but I forgot to do so. I'm sure we've all been there. I also have been on the receiving end of waiting for someone to reply to my message. This is at times what it feels like when we're waiting on that answer from God. Did He hear my prayer? Should I pray again? Why isn't He answering? Does this mean "no"? The same thoughts that plague our every day conversations with each other. We can be assured that God does not delay when His children are in need. We have to confidently trust that the answer is coming so that we are so busy looking for it that we miss it.

 Waiting can be difficult. Especially when you have an idea what the end result should be. This is why I like to think back on some of my anxiety-laced life experiences. Had I known how uneventful that performance evaluation would be, I would have eaten breakfast that morning. If I knew the test would be on things I learned, I wouldn't have stressed myself to the point of an upset stomach. It's true. Hindsight really is 20/20. But I've learned, a little more each day, that God desires my vision to be 20/20 up front. Because I trust Him and can have full confidence in him, then I can march around my Jericho walls with the an assurance that the must come down.

I've had several conversations with different people the past few weeks and a single word has surfaced in each. Seek. We've been talking about how intentional "seeking" truly is. Several scriptures show us that if we purpose to earnestly seek after the Lord, we will find Him. So in all that we do, we should have a desire to see and hear God's voice.

There is a saying, "Dance like no one is watching". It's meant to encourage people to just let go and not be concerned what others think of them in that moment. We're also less composed when we don't have an audience. We should embrace that mindset when it comes to our spirit. Except, I'm not alone, but in the presence of God. Desire an audience of one. Rather than focus on what others believe my praise and worship should look like or what my prayers should sound like, I should only be concerned that my praises leave my lips and reach God's ears. There's no need to be composed with the one that made you. 

Whenever I'm thinking about prayer, I often end up reading this passage. Hannah is always a reminder for me of the importance of persistence. Keep praying and mean what you pray.