“You could get healed, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be in shape.”Pastor Matthew Slocum
I heard a great sermon a few months ago by our Executive Pastor, Pastor Slocum. He was talking about how God loves to come into our lives and change the areas that need help. However, when He does, we still have a responsibility to take the healing or the blessings or the answer He provides and use it in a way that pleases our Father.
There have been many times in my life where I’ve had a choice to make. Either take selfishly what God has given me or show my thankfulness by asking what role He wants me to play in His blessing. One such instance occurred in the fall of 2013. After my income was reduced and God didn’t supply new income as quickly as He had in the past, I had a choice to make. I could either take control myself, accepting any job that was presented to “get us by,” or listen to His voice as He whispered specific commands He wanted me to obey. With those commands, I could’ve stopped midway through, never completing His assignment or I could’ve followed through to the best of my ability. I chose to fully obey – even when I questioned if I was moving in the right direction. As my dad reminded me recently, “God can fix mistakes, so don’t worry about getting it perfect. He allows U-turns, especially when you’re heart is in the right place.”
The sermon reminded me of another instance in my life that occurred in April 2013. I’d been praying and asking God to help me overcome emotional eating. I’ve struggled in this area my whole life. He led me to a 40-day fast and during that time, my cravings for sugar and other processed food left…completely! However, I hadn’t heard the second part of the statement above and didn’t realize I had a responsibility when I accepted that blessing of no more cravings. I soon realized testing God by resuming old eating habits wasn’t a good idea. They came back with a vengeance. It’s been another year and God has slowly been working on my thoughts, the reasons why I emotionally eat, and what role He wants me to fulfill in this arena. I’m ready to “get in shape,” believing God will help me overcome the cravings once more. This time around, I’m in a better position to receive that blessing as I’m ready to accept my responsibility.
What about you? Are there areas in your life where you have asked God to fix you? Anger problems? Huge debt? An area especially close to my heart…Fear? Employment? Relationship issues? Have you considered that maybe there is a role God wants you to play in the healing of these areas? I’ve found, for me, the best place to begin to discover that answer is by simply asking my Father. Ask…and then wait for His answer. Sometimes it comes quickly, but more often than not there is a gap between the question and the answer. Don’t be afraid of silence. God isn’t. And my friend, when we come to Him sincerely wanting His wisdom and His help, He always answers…the best answer for us personally. Not just enough…but the BEST. Just don’t forget to ask Him what your responsibility is in the solution He provides.
© Cheri Swalwell 2014