"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." He rests me. He restores me. He leads me. He protects me. He comforts me. He provides for me. My cup overflows. And still I'm not happy.....
Why? Why not? Because I do not abide.....I do not rest in, submit to, focus on Him. It is a way of life I have not yet learned to live. I can be God-like, but not abide. I can minister to others and not be abiding. My outer "being" can resemble one who is settled, confident, satisfied, put together. While on the inside, there is struggling, fear, anxiety, sadness.....being in control on the outside while being overwhelmed on the inside.
Abide. He wants me to stand with my arms outstretched and fall backwards into His plan without flinching, without trying to catch myself, without checking out what's back there, without hesitation or concern.
Abide. He wants me to open the mail, line the bills up, most resent "past due" to "present due" and have hope in Him, not in my capabilities to provide.
Abide. As I grieve a job, a relationship, a loved one, health.....He wants to bring me peace and comfort and show me how this is part of His loving plan. All I can do is focus on the loss.
Abide. When I don't get what I want. When my pride is bruised. When life gets uncomfortable......He wants me to abide.
Abide. Trust Him. Allow Him to work. Accept my circumstances as they are, coming from my loving Savior. Let Him have His way. Give up my demands. Listen to Him and obey. It is the first step to walking with Him in a satisfying, exciting life.
It becomes a life where He is in control, but He takes care of everything. Where I submit, but I'm not responsible. A life where I get to be part of His miraculous work, not proud of my own pitiful efforts. I experience being used by the creator of the universe, a tool in His hands, protected by His love.
I choose to be the branch and let Him be the vine. This way....His joy will be in me and my joy will be full....
John 15
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