January 11, 2012
Are You Asking God the Wrong Question?
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
Cease striving and know that I am God, (Psalm 46:10, NASB).
Friend to Friend
Could it be that we have made our relationship with God far too difficult? We strive so hard to draw closer to the heart of God. And all the while, God’s outstretched hand is reaching to draw us in. Psalm 46:10 reads, “cease striving and know that I am God” (NASB).
Cease striving.
For over a half of a century, I had been striving, pursuing, and seeking God. And like a cat chasing her tail, I had been going in circles. Circling in the wilderness with the Israelites, if you will. Saved from slavery, for sure. Headed to my own personal Promised Land, hopefully. But somehow stuck in the wilderness wandering, ever circling but not quite reaching Jordan’s shore.
And I am not alone. Statistics show that one of the top desires of Christians is to grow closer to God. During a recent poll, sixty-five percent said they were declining or on a plateau in their spiritual growth. On the other hand, Peter wrote: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). We have everything we need to experience the ever growing, continually maturing, abundant life, so why aren’t we? Why are most of us languishing on the desert plateaus of mediocrity and complacency? Why are most of us satisfied munching on the predigested truths of teachers rather than pulling up to the banquet table and feasting with God at a table set for two?
“God, what do you really want from me?”
I’ve pondered that question since the genesis of my relationship with Christ. Perhaps you have too. When you boil down all the water from the diluted soup of questions men and women have simmered in their heart through the centuries, this is the one question left in the pot. And somehow, we feel that if we could answer that one question, we would discover why that glory ache persists and how to satisfy our yearning.
I had asked the question a thousand times, but one frosty January morning, I got quiet enough to listen. And then, in the stillness, He showed me that I and my busy sisters have been asking the wrong question.
Rather than ask God what He wants from us, we need to ask Him what He wants for us.
I meditated on Acts 17:28 throughout the following year after the day God whetted my appetite with the possibilities wrapped up in those eight little words. I came to realize that what He wants for us is to sense His presence, experience His love, and delight in intimate relationship as we live and move and have our being in sacred union with Him. And when we do, He opens our eyes to His glory all around and the ache for something more is soothed.
Let’s Pray
God, what do you want for me today? Open my eyes to see and ears to hear. Show me glimpses of Your presence as I live and move and have my being in you. And help me not to miss it!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Have you ever asked God what He wants from you?
Have you ever asked God what he wants for you?
Now, I want you to do just that. Ask God what He wants for you and then pay attention.
At day’s end, tell me what you learned. What did He show you? Let’s chat at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.
More from the Girlfriends
Do you need a tune-up when it comes to tuning-in to God? Do you want to know how to hear that still small voice? If so, check out Sharon’s book, Becoming a Woman who Listens to Godand sharpen your spiritual listening skills! And don’t forget to check out our new Girlfriends in God devotion book, Trusting God.
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