"God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him," (John 1:3, NLT).
"...for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together," (Colossians 1:16-17 NLT).
We, because of who we are, can not do what we want with our lives. Everything about us belongs to God. This includes our bodies, our finances, our talents, our time. Everything.
This simple, yet life changing truth must take root in our hearts.
Because as we walk through life, we have to be able to rest and not try to figure everything out. There's no room for worrying about how and when it's going to happen. That's not our place.
Matthew 6:25 tells us to take no thought for our lives.
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Matthew 6:25, KJV).
God's got us. We have to realize that we cannot make anything happen on our own.
If we try, we will produce an Ishmael every time. Just ask Abraham.
We were not created to try and work out our own way. It's entirely too big and too much for us.
When we try and try to figure out our own way, and our own lives, we are then operating in a role that only God can fill. A role that we are not equipped for. Our minds can't handle it. We don't have the capacity.
Stress comes when we try to step into a place of trying to control our own life.
"The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" (Proverbs 20:24 NLT).
"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps," (Proverbs 16:9 NLT).
He alone knows the way that we should take.
And He is allowing many, to walk through tests, that will serve to remind them that, "Hey, you are not your own."
He lets us walk through situations and allows circumstances which cause us to come to the end of ourselves so that He can show us who He is. A place where we can no longer figure it out. The place that self can not be depended upon, but with all that is within, our gaze must be fixed like flint upon Him.
We are the ones who keep ourselves from seeing Him in our situations and circumstances.
Because we are so busy looking at us. Trying to figure this out and that out.
We steal the focus from Him when we look unto ourselves. The enemy does not want you at a place of perfect peace.
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3, NLT).
When our thoughts are on Him, we remain at a place of peace. But, when we try to figure out the how's, the why's, and the what if's, we get frustrated. We are created to operate and function in a realm of faith and trust. Figuring and worrying is not a realm that's conducive for us. We can't function there. Why? Because we are created and called to be worshippers. A true worshipper that worships with his or her life. One who understands that worship is a lifestyle.
It's not just something you do. It is the absolute sum total of who you are. It is what you were created for. Negative things, like fear and worry, war against worship because they render you ineffective.
Fear immobilizes and keeps you from fully obeying God. Then you will not be fruitful. And John 15 verse 8 tells us God is glorified when we are fruitful.
"When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine," (John 15:8, AMP).
It's all about the Father being glorified.
"For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea," (Habakkuk 2:14 NKJV).
Allow the freedom and peace that comes with knowing you are not your own to consume you and thrust you into a place of absolute surrender.
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