My twenty cents keeps moving!

Aug. 22, 2007

It's not pretty

    I know not everyone loved Evan Almighty, but I thought parts of it were very profound. The whole movie was about obedience. But this isn't a movie review, this is a Leslie review, and as usual, I get two thumbs down. *sigh*

    In Evan Almighty, the wife prays for her family to grow closer together. Later she meets God in a diner (although she doesn't know it's God at first) and He talks to her about prayer. He says, "When people pray for courage, do you think God gives them courage, or does He give them the opportunity to be courageous? When they pray for patience, does He supernaturally zap them with patience or does He give them opportunities to be patient? When they ask for their family to grow closer together, does He make them automatically closer, or does He give them an opportunity to be together?" you get His drift, I am sure. She did.

    So, the point is, (and yes, there is one) I have prayed for God to change me, to make me more like Him. And I really mean it, not just something to sound pretty. So guess what. He doesn't just zap me and make me a better person with more Christlike qualities. Instead, He puts me with people who bug me and suck the joy out of me and do things that I don't like. And don't do things my way. Ahem.

So I am telling my friend tonight to pray for me because I know my attitude needs to change. I sense that I am being prideful, but I am not willing to admit it wholeheartedly. I want to blame them, but I really know deep down that it doesn't matter what they do, it matters only how I respond. (I preach this to my children 176 times a day.)

So then I am telling her a story about tonight's children's Bible study which, in my mind is totally unrelated. It was cute how I was teaching about Paul and Silas and Sydney kept finishing my sentences because, she informed me, she had this lesson with Miss Jean in Sunday School.   I wanted to say "Let me finish my sentences" but I didn't. And I was glad that she knew the story.

My friend said, "Why can't you do that with them?"

Huh?

Oh.

You mean, let them finish my sentences. In a metaphorical sense. Let them do things their way and not try to butt in and take the glory.

ouch.

As painful as it was to hear and admit, she was dead on. It really was a pride issue. And. she pointed out, you have to let them "finish the sentence" without raising your hand and saying "but I knew the answer too."   In a metaphorical sense.

And I can do that. Now that I know the problem and see that it really is me and a pride issue and not a matter of how can I bend them to my will (LOL) I really can do that. I can swallow it and die to it and let them do it their way.

Because we are working on a project that is supposed to be to God's glory. And that's not just the finished "product" but also the process.   And so it is with me, the process can bring Him glory as He refines me and makes the end product also to His glory.

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Comments

Aug. 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Suzanne

I don't think God puts us with people who suck the joy out of us. Yes, I understand the pride thing... all too well. However, I believe that Satan is the robber of true joy.

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Aug. 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I am sorry to be anonymous. I can't login, hsb says I don't exist:(
I think it is so good and yet painful when God brings us to the place where we are ready to do things HIS way. I always thought the verse when David cried out for God to search His heart (my paraphrase) was neat. The thing is I was reading from a pride view. I was seeing as God seeing I had "good" intentions and that I wasn't the "bad" one. The truth is my heart is desperately wicked, deceiful and there is no good in me. I realized that I had to die to myself in EVERY area and let Christ live through me. And as I began to be in the same circumstance (that normally I would demand my way) and instead would be submitted to God that I would have peace, joy etc... So often in life I get my perspective, others get theirs, but I am coming to a place where I don't want to see or for others to see my perspective, but instead get a God perspective on all areas life brings. I am sorry this is lengthy, I wish we were sitting have a coffee discussing this. It would be easier for me to explain and then I could here more about what God is showing you. I think that their are always situations and people who in a sense steal our joy, but that's the red flag that we took our eyes off of Jesus. If we don't apply 1thess 5:16, then I know I can bring myself to a place where everything upsets me. God is at work in all of us that are willing to submit to Him and I look forward to looking back and seeing how it all comes together. Maybe we should talk on the phone sometime;) Thanks for sharing and encouraging me once again. Also there is a book called, "The Overcoming Life" by Watchman Nee, that is super good. Have a good day.
:>Michelle @ seekingJesusnTeachingKids

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Aug. 23, 2007 - He is faithful!

Posted by titus24mom

I enjoyed reading this post. You know, we pray for God to change us, but when He brings those people and circumstances that will bring about that change, we can get a little huffy because it is painful. I am praising Him that you are seeking to obey Him, and once again crucify the flesh that He may be glorified. ~Courtney

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Aug. 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by StillHisGirl

I love your honesty. I understand all too well how there are definitely people who are draining or difficult, and boy, do those people STRETCH me! I loved your last paragraph. You are clearly bringing Him glory in your process!

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