When Success is Simply Saying “Yes”

So, I’m doing a final review of a talk I’ll be giving very soon. Suddenly an unexpected wave of concern sweeps over me. I remember that the talk I’ve readied in the quiet will soon be seen and heard by real people.

I’m not alone in that feeling. The bookkeeper who must present her spreadsheets in a board meeting knows it. The mom whose child is suited up for that big game understands it. The runner who trains on the streets of a neighborhood and then takes his place at the starting line battles it. In those many varied moments, we all want assurance of success.

I begin to ask, “How can I make sure this goes well?” And a verse from Proverbs pops into my mind: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3). I pause and consider the words. “Is this a guarantee from God that everything will always go the way I’d like it to? Not so according to my life experience and the rest of God's Word.

Slowly I began to grasp the true meaning: Success isn’t about outcome; it’s about obedience. The “success” this verse talks about is set in motion not when the results are in but as soon as we say, “Yes, God, I give this to You.” He thinks differently than we do. To Him, every obedient “yes” is already a success.

I’ll confess a part of me wishes that verse meant what I want will always happen. But when I look back over my life, I realize there have been many times when what I thought would be best would actually have been a mess. Thank God He didn't answer that prayer the way I was wanting Him to!

And the real relief is that when I commit something to God, I no longer have to carry it. I don’t bear the weight of the fears, expectations, and pressure. I can faithfully do what He’s asked me to and know He will take care of the rest. Whew!

I return to review my talk and all that concern fades with this realization: Who I’m turning this over to matters more than how it all turns out. God’s got this. He’s got me too! And, He's got you!

Having a God-is-in-Control Mindset

Thank goodness for the winners of the political races because now we can breathe easier. The ones who won their seats in the House and Senate proclaimed that they would fix the economy, solve the issues on immigration, health care, and give their supporters whatever they want from them. So, no concerns or worries! NOT! It's a fresh, new day to realize “God is in control”! I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know WHO holds tomorrow!

It may sound like a cliché but I assure you “God’s got this!” In a culture fixated on the present and ourselves, it's understandable that there are many who are ecstatic about the outcome of yesterday's elections and others who are disappointed and anxious. We are right to be concerned about our nation, but we are wrong to worry about our future: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). When we do, (verse 7) "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". We must remember this: Our mighty God, is in control.

I am so happy that my peace, well-being, and hope for tomorrow doesn't depend on what a man or woman promises in some political arena and, if elected, what my life will become. Here's what I do know and here's what I'm staking my life upon. I believe God's ways are so much higher than ours and His sovereign plans and purposes will be carried out. If we are people who live by faith, we will just keep overcoming because we know that God is in control -- no matter "the who" is in the White House, the schoolhouse, the greenhouse, House of Representatives, or a household.

Instead of being in that "I'm-so-worried-about-what-our-future-holds mode", how about us looking at a penny and stand by those words engraved on it that say "In God We Trust"?

This morning is another gorgeous day for us to say again “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I looked for a flag that depicted who we are as Americans. This one below is the one I found. I just added the words. I have a vivid picture in my mind: "THIS FLAG stands for freedom. I'm proud to be an American where I know I am free, and I won't forget the men and women who died who gave that right to me. And I'll proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today, cause' there ain't no doubt, I love this land, God bless the USA!" And as much as I love that song sung by Lee Greenwood, more than my beloved American flag, the cross of Jesus Christ is my statue of liberty. In GOD I Trust! With Him, our future is secure.

Stop, Drop and Pray

Day 230 of Photo Inspirations -- Stop, Drop and Pray
What do you do when you see someone hanging on for dear life to the very end of their rope? They've done their best to stay positive, to be brave and courageous, to smile when the wind is blowing the hardest, to keep standing when it would be easier to fall -- YET, this day -- they caved under the load.

That happened today when "it was the last straw" for a dear friend who has been through so much. She said, "I can't take it anymore!"  So, what should we do at times like this?  We can reach our arms out in a sweet embrace and say "It's gonna' be alright!"  Or, we can say "I'll be praying for you!"

OR, we can STOP -- DROP -- and PRAY!  If that friend was in a burning house, would we tell her "We'll be praying for you! It's gonna' be alright!" Or, would we run in and grab hold of her and pull her out of the fire.

Today, we did STOP -- DROPPED -- and PRAYED!  There was no sense in just comforting her or speaking positive words to her.  It was time for a breakthrough and time to serve notice on the enemy that he has lost his fight.  When Goliath had gotten on little David's last nerve, David picked up a stone and sling and took Goliath down with one fell swoop.  There are just times when we have to take matters into God's hands through strong, fervent, faith-in-action prayers.

There were three of us in prayer for her and it wasn't "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayers -- it was "When the enemy comes in.....LIKE A FLOOD, God raises up a standard" kind of prayer.  I don't know if the turnaround has taken place for her yet, but I do know she calmed down and peace overtook her.

And the best part, after she left to go home, we found a card on a table that we hadn't seen there before, and didn't know who put it there.  The card had written on it in calligraphy, "Find rest, oh my soul, in God alone.  My help comes from Him." Psalm 62:5.   We ran out to give her the card to confirm to her that God heard our prayers.  I like to think that GOD did show up when we called upon Him, to confirm "He's got this!"  And, He's GOT THIS -- for you, too, today!  Maybe it's time for you to STOP, DROP and PRAY!