Hold Onto Things Loosely
I get attached to things easily.
I'm very routine oriented.
If you want to annoy me, make plans with me then cancel (especially if we're going out to eat).
This isn't a very good thing when you put God into the mix.
We all hear the cliche "Trust God".
It really is a cliche because it's so easy to say.
It's really easy for me to spurt those two words out to someone with a problem, especially if they are a believer.
But it's rarely in practice in my own life.
Lately, however, I've been catching a glimpse of it and it's great.
I just have to remember to hold onto things loosely.
I've recently been put in charge of managing the First Impressions team at my church.
6 months ago I'd never dream I'd by doing this.
I never thought managing a First Impressions team would be a good fit for a guy with a physical disability.
But it is, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity.
But here's the thing: It's a good fit for now.
Who knows what God will call me to next week? And the dangerous thing about my personality is I'll get so attached to this thing I'm doing that if God asks me to step down and do something else, I'll get all flustered.
I need to hold onto it loosely.
I'm done trying to do things on my own.
I'm letting God lead me now.
I'm pretty sure there's a musical in me waiting to be written.
Actually, I'm pretty sure there are a few of them floating around my head.
But here's the thing: I can't write one unless God tells me to.
I know I just sounded crazy.
And no, I'm not waiting for some voice from the sky to say 'Okay Michael, write it now, just keep it PG!".
All I mean is, I can't write it in my own power.
So I'll pray "Lord, I think writing a musical would be awesome.
If you want me to write one, please work through me and allow me to create something that pleases You.
" And if the day never comes, I need to be okay with that.
Now, this could open the door to several arguments, including "People have written great musicals who didn't even believe in God.
" True.
We all have free will.
I don't believe God limits creativity in anyone.
My only point is that if I submit to God's will as best as I can and that will has nothing to do with me writing a musical, it will be pretty hard to write one.
It can still be done.
But I'll be missing out on reaching my full potential by not accepting what I should be doing.
This can seem prison-like at first.
But it's actually quite freeing.
This society is way to consumed with succeeding on your own.
We want to achieve all the things on our checklist before we die so we can say our life meant something.
We are what we do, and I'm the first person guilty of this.
I want to be a productive member of society.
I want to leave something great behind (such as, maybe, a musical...
).
But all that is Michael's agenda.
And if I get so busy with my agenda I become unavailable to God.
He'll still get His plan done, but I'll miss out.
David wanted to build God a temple, which sounds very noble.
And it was.
But God said "Thanks, but no thanks.
That will be your son's job.
I have different stuff planned for you" (crude paraphrase).
Did David throw a temper tantrum when God said he had a different agenda for him? I probably would've.
But no, he actually thanked God.
Father, help me to empty myself of my own agenda, plans, and expectations so that You can use me in whatever way would best use the gifts You've given me.
I'm very routine oriented.
If you want to annoy me, make plans with me then cancel (especially if we're going out to eat).
This isn't a very good thing when you put God into the mix.
We all hear the cliche "Trust God".
It really is a cliche because it's so easy to say.
It's really easy for me to spurt those two words out to someone with a problem, especially if they are a believer.
But it's rarely in practice in my own life.
Lately, however, I've been catching a glimpse of it and it's great.
I just have to remember to hold onto things loosely.
I've recently been put in charge of managing the First Impressions team at my church.
6 months ago I'd never dream I'd by doing this.
I never thought managing a First Impressions team would be a good fit for a guy with a physical disability.
But it is, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity.
But here's the thing: It's a good fit for now.
Who knows what God will call me to next week? And the dangerous thing about my personality is I'll get so attached to this thing I'm doing that if God asks me to step down and do something else, I'll get all flustered.
I need to hold onto it loosely.
I'm done trying to do things on my own.
I'm letting God lead me now.
I'm pretty sure there's a musical in me waiting to be written.
Actually, I'm pretty sure there are a few of them floating around my head.
But here's the thing: I can't write one unless God tells me to.
I know I just sounded crazy.
And no, I'm not waiting for some voice from the sky to say 'Okay Michael, write it now, just keep it PG!".
All I mean is, I can't write it in my own power.
So I'll pray "Lord, I think writing a musical would be awesome.
If you want me to write one, please work through me and allow me to create something that pleases You.
" And if the day never comes, I need to be okay with that.
Now, this could open the door to several arguments, including "People have written great musicals who didn't even believe in God.
" True.
We all have free will.
I don't believe God limits creativity in anyone.
My only point is that if I submit to God's will as best as I can and that will has nothing to do with me writing a musical, it will be pretty hard to write one.
It can still be done.
But I'll be missing out on reaching my full potential by not accepting what I should be doing.
This can seem prison-like at first.
But it's actually quite freeing.
This society is way to consumed with succeeding on your own.
We want to achieve all the things on our checklist before we die so we can say our life meant something.
We are what we do, and I'm the first person guilty of this.
I want to be a productive member of society.
I want to leave something great behind (such as, maybe, a musical...
).
But all that is Michael's agenda.
And if I get so busy with my agenda I become unavailable to God.
He'll still get His plan done, but I'll miss out.
David wanted to build God a temple, which sounds very noble.
And it was.
But God said "Thanks, but no thanks.
That will be your son's job.
I have different stuff planned for you" (crude paraphrase).
Did David throw a temper tantrum when God said he had a different agenda for him? I probably would've.
But no, he actually thanked God.
Father, help me to empty myself of my own agenda, plans, and expectations so that You can use me in whatever way would best use the gifts You've given me.
Source...