Reflections, July 15, 2012

Reflections July 15th, 2012

“Don't Have The Answers? God Does”

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

Scripture Reading For This Week: 2 Chronicles 9; Psalm 61; Psalm 142:3; Proverbs 3; Luke 2: 45-47; 1 Timothy 1:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:22-24; Titus 3:8-10...

I don't know about you, but I like answers to my questions. I love knowledge. I love research. I love learning new things. I admit, however, there was a time in my life when I had some questions that I did not have answers to. Questions that seemed to go unanswered for a long time. And a life that was filled with unrest and no peace.

I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement for your heart, mind, and soul. This is the week that you decide to really let go, and let God have His way in your life, and lead you into the life of fulfillment that He has ordained for you.

What is it about not having an answer to something? That pressing need to know? There are times when we receive some difficult questions to life; especially from children, and we have no idea how to answer them. We don't know the first thing to say. Yet, we serve a God who has all the answers to the questions we seek, and He waits for us to come to Him.

It is not just questions that we have, but also direction in the way in which we live and conduct our lives. And in my walk with Jesus; I have come to know that I needed Him way more than I thought! And that, I really didn't have to do this life thing all alone. That I can come to Him for anything and He will not turn me away.

Why do we feel that God will turn us away? Why is it that we continue to place God in the same category as man, and with the same fallacies? God does not judge as we do. God does not lie or disappoint or hurt intentionally as we do. His thoughts and ways are far above ours. Yet, if we would just allow God that space in our hearts that He desires, and the fellowship He seeks with us, our lives would be so much different.

Sometimes I see our human lives like hamsters in a cage—going round and round, but never getting anywhere, just exhausted. And I know that is not the life that God has intended for any of His creation. I know that God desires for us to have so much more in this life. But why do we continually seek answers from people and things that do not know us, or our purpose for being here? Even as believers in Christ, we tend to seek answers from the world, instead of going straight to the source—God our Father.

I've always been one with many questions. I learned that it is quite all right to ask God questions. I learned that God does have the answers that we seek. It's just that sometimes, the answers don't match what we may think they should be. They don't look like anything we would come up with. In fact, God's answers may be the exact opposite of what we were thinking. But it's all good...It's God!

My relationship with the Father is constantly growing and changing. Everyday it is being transformed. I learn something new about myself and about my God everyday. And it is liberating. There was a time in my life when I felt that everything in my life had to be perfect. I needed the answers to everything that was going on! I needed to know not just for myself, but those who'd ask me a question.

I had this insane idea that, as a minister, I had to have the answers to all the questions that were asked of me. How crazy was that?! It was making my life miserable! I mean; I can be honest with you, right? Okay. Growing up, my life was not ideal. It was far from perfect. At an early age, I learned to be independent, and had to do things for myself. The times I had asked for help from others, I was told no, or that I would eventually figure it out for myself.

This created in me a need to always know how. To know the answers to many things. It also lead me to wanting things to be perfect and organized. To the point of being anal about things. And on the verge of OCD (over compulsive disorder). This isn't God! This is not His plan; to overwhelm us, or leave us in the dark. Yet, many of us are in the dark because we feel as though we have to figure out things on our own. We make the mistake of assuming God's silence is a no, or that He hasn't answered our questions. God just does things in a different way than many of us think or were taught to believe.

Beloved, God loves when we come to Him. He loves to hear our questions; for us to seek Him in all that we do. He desires for us to know His will concerning our lives. We just have to let go of the many false notions that we have learned over the years concerning God; and really get to know Him. And the only way to do this is by asking God questions. By seeking Him; His ways; putting Him first in all that we do.

Yes, I was saved at an early age. I was seven. But there was so much that I didn't know. And so much I wasn't taught. And much that I was taught that was wrong, such as: it was wrong to ask God questions. That, I had to accept life as it was. That, because of the color of my skin that I had to accept that things wouldn't always go smoothly or as the way I hoped. That, I shouldn't dream too big or expect too much in this life.

What a bunch of crap! And it really messed me up for a while. But glory to God for an intimate relationship with my Father. To, getting to know God for myself, and seeking Him, and finding out that I could ask all the questions I wanted to ask. That, I didn't have to be perfect for God to love me and to be blessed in this life. That, the only thing of perfection didn't even come from what I did, but from what God gave! A perfect heart in Him. And by seeking to please Him, He'd perfect my ways! Glory to God, I am free! And you can be also!

Beloved, God has the answers to all your questions. He has the answers to all your needs. He has the path that you need to be on. He has a way out of the darkness if you would follow. Yes. This life can be quite difficult. It can be painful and disappointing at times. But there is a place. A secret place. In the arms of God, that gives you rest and peace and shields from the onslaught of this world. It gives you the shelter you need to get through the storms of this life. To win every battle that comes at you. It's in Jesus, my friends. It's in Jesus.

All hell can be breaking loose around me. People can be getting turned down left and right because of their hue of skin. The roads can be bumpy with thousands of booby traps set by the enemy. Yet—none of it will affect me. None of it! Because I believe in the report of my Lord. I received the answers to my questions a while ago. That, he who keeps his mind stayed on Him will be kept in perfect peace! That, when God says yes, that settles it! That:

Romans 8:38-39 “38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. God waits for you to come to Him. There's not a question He cannot answer. Just realize; it may be answered in a way you thought not! You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!

©2012. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.