Saturday, August 16, 2008

My Struggle

Do you want to know what I struggle with? It's knowing when to sit still and when to act. I'll explain.

We have a problem. I pray. That's starting to be my first response. (That did not used to be the case.) Then, after I pray...my struggle starts. Now what do I do? Do I just sit here in faith and wait for God to present the solution to my struggle? Or do I take action?

In America we have a very "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality. That sometimes gets in the way of trusting the Lord. On the other hand, I don't want to be like the guy who is standing in the middle of the street with a Mac truck coming at me praying, "Lord, should I move?"

I have certainly been in the position before where all I could do was sit and wait. And God came through in a BIG way. The answer to our prayers was literally deposited in our lap.

I think about the Israelites when they stood at the edge of the water with the Egyptians coming up fast behind them. Surely it seemed to them that there was no answer for their problem. Who could have ever imagined that God would part the water?

But on the other hand, how can I sit here praying and NOT do the common sense things that need to be done to solve my problem. I mean, it's only responsible to do what I can. I can't just sit here with my life in a mess and keep praying for God to fix it. Right?

Oh well. I am sure this doesn't make any sense. I am also certain that the answer could be found in scripture. So I will go look now.

Don't you love a deep post with no answer whatsoever?

5 comments:

  1. I totally know what you mean. I can't add anything to this, you said it perfectly. I'll pray for you too!

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  2. Hmm...the Scripture that comes to mind is, "Whether you turn to the left or to the right, you will hear a Voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

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  3. I think as *Christians* we have the mentality "let's pray pray pray" until we get a "sign" or a door opens, etc.
    This is good and a rightful step, but is also crippling. (or can be crippling.) Cause then you are just praying and praying and not *doing* which is also important.

    So....I always like to think that "man devises his plans, but the Lord directs His steps." We can plan *and should plan* but also pray over the plan and then *act* in the full faith that God is directing us (as He always is, anyway) knowing that His outcome will prevail in the end.

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  4. So we were in the WAY back at chuch today and I couldn't hear well. But, the priest quoted someone and I made a mental note to look this up. What I picked up was..."Pray like everything depends on God and act like everything depends on you". Not verbatim but it has stuck in my head all day. I'll let you know what I find when I look it up.

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  5. You articulated so well, the very thing I am dealing with right now.

    Praying for you as I try to hear God in this exact same way.

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I don't get to talk to a lot of actual grown-ups during the day, so your comments make me really happy! :)