Monday, April 18, 2011

Who Knows Best?


He stares at me. Tail wagging, tongue hanging out of his mouth. It's almost as if he believes he can cause me to do his bidding if he uses the charm factor. Our Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Joe, IS adorable. And he's hard to resist when he cocks his head just so, and puts on a big 'smile.' Yet sometimes he forgets we're his owners and not the other way around.

Just a couple days ago, he tried pouring on the charm. I went out to spend a few minutes with both dogs. Our Golden Retriever, Precious, just wanted to cuddle. Joe, on the other hand, was ready to play. I grabbed a tennis ball and headed out to indulge him with a game of fetch. But Joe wanted to make up the rules. Instead of retrieving the ball, Joe caught it and stood looking at me expectantly. The more I coaxed him to bring me the ball, the more determined he was to get me to come get the ball from him. He wasn't interested in playing our usual game of fetch.

Much to Joe's chagrin, I stood up and headed back in the direction of his doghouse. Realizing his opportunity to play was disappearing rapidly, he streaked by me and stood in the middle of the path, tennis ball on the ground in front of him. Stooping down to scratch his head, I gave his ball a final toss. He brought it back in seconds flat. Next time I went out to play, he resembled a boomerang. We both enjoyed an invigorating game of fetch.

Joe's antics are surprisingly familiar. If I'm honest, I have to admit that sometimes I do the same thing - with God. Knowing that I'm His beloved child, sometimes I forget that He's also my Creator, and I expect Him to do my bidding. Although what He expects of me is clearly laid out in His Word, I minimize who He is, and get caught up in a 'buddy' mentality. Since He's my friend, surely He'll do ______(fill in the blank) for me! Or, since He wants what's best for me, He definitely won't allow ________(fill in the blank) to happen! I temporarily forget that God's plan for me is not to make me happy - it's to conform me to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).


The prophet Isaiah gently reminds me, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts," (Isaiah 55:8-9; KJV). As the holy Creator and sustainer of everything, including me, my responsibility is to acknowledge God for who He is, and follow the instruction manual He's so graciously given me.

How could I possibly think I know what's best? Time and time again, when I've tried to bargain with God and do things my way, the results have been disastrous. Acknowledging His authority and submitting to His will for me bring wonderful blessings. The Psalmist, David, writes, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy ways unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass," (Psalm 37:4-5). God's desire IS to bless me. My problem is that far too often I think of God's blessings in terms of material things rather than spiritual things.

God's plan for me is to, "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, " (2 Peter 3:18a). My prayer today, echoes that of the Apostle Paul for the believers at Colosse, "...that ye (I) might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye (I) might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father..." (Colossians 1:9-12a; words in italics mine).

What about you? Do you try to charm God into doing things your way? Realize His plan is so much better than anything you could come up with - and let Him be in charge!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me when I minimize You and think I know what's best for me. Help me to remember that my life consists of so much more than things. You are what's most important. I desire to grow in my knowledge of You. Thank You for Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

24 comments:

  1. Ouch ouch ouch! Thanks for the reminder!

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  2. Stef - Great to see you! I assure you, I've had my fair share of bumps and bruises as a result of this topic this morning! Have a wonderful week and keep me posted on the progress of your book. Praying for you! God bless! :)

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  3. God is so much bigger than any of our plans. He does need to be in charge; it's always better this way! :)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  4. Karen - Such a simple concept, isn't it? Funny how I slip back into the mode of thinking I know best! Thankful His Word puts me on the right path! Have a wonderful week basking in His blessings!

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  5. Blessings to you Maria, Loved this post-primarily because being a dog lover any lesson that teaches from a dogs life is one I take notice of and more importantly because of the lesson itself. How often our thoughts turn to self instead of to Him. Loved your prayer and am echoing it saying Amen.
    May your week be blessed beyond measure.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  6. Oh man! If I could count the times I thought I knew better. But you know what Maria? I always come back, face bowed, teary eyes and tell Him I'm sorry, so very sorry. He says, "Robyn, you're forgiven." He always loves me no matter what and He knows what's in my heart.

    The enemy uses every circumstance to pull us away from the Father and His glorious Son.

    Wonderful post. Your dogs are so cool. :-)

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  7. Noreen - Thanks for your encouraging words! I must say, our pets have taught me SO much! Maybe it's easier to spot the lesson because no words are necessary! Blessings to you this week as we look ahead to Easter! Hugs! :)

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  8. Robyn - So good to see you! Thanks for sharing your experience - God IS so gracious to forgive. Great to be reminded of His forgiveness with Easter almost upon us! Enjoy your week and give Christopher a hug for me! :)

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  9. Maria, a great reminder through your post!!! Have a great Tuesday.

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  10. Diana - Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful week, my friend! Hugs and God bless!

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  11. Yes, I want Him to play my way too sometimes. May I be as accepting as Joe, and happily play to His rules instead of mine. Beautiful post.

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  12. What a great analogy; isn't it sweet that the Lord used your dog to help us all understand Him better? Thanks for sharing,
    Jen

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  13. Lynn - Thanks for stopping by! Appreciate your honesty, too! Funny how we balk at obeying His rules, and yet they're what's best for us and makes us happiest. Have a blessed Easter!

    Jen - I'm finding that our pets have plenty to teach me! Their behavior always captures my attention. A very blessed Easter to you and your family!

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  14. We all, at one time or another, try to charm God...please, please, pretty please! LOL Never works, does it? Loved your post! Blessings!

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  15. PS Wish you had an email subscription! :(

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  16. Lynn - Thanks for stopping by! And yes, I've tried to charm God on occasion with the same results as you - it doesn't work! Looking back, I'm so glad He called me to do things His way. Have a blessed Easter worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

    *Tell me about the email subscription. Is it something I can add to my page?

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  17. I enjoyed the opening and the careful descriptions you used here. The ending prayer is checking and uplifting at the same time. I love how He knows us, all our faults, and forgives and loves us His way.

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  18. Shopgirl - Thanks for stopping by! Appreciate your comment - I'm SO thankful that God's mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfullness! His love IS amazing! How humbling to think that He desires to use us to proclaim His message and be living examples pointing to Him! Have a wonderful Easter! God bless!

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  19. WOW Maria . . . I needed this today! I especially loved your comment:"I temporarily forget that God's plan for me is not to make me happy - it's to conform me to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). This truth is hard to digest. It's hard to find the faith to believe that our trials are blessings in disguise. I find strength in knowing that I don't have to know all the answers . . . I just need to trust in the One who does. ;)
    Happy Easter to you as well sister!!!
    Blessings,
    Cherie

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  20. Hi Maria! Thanks for stopping by my blog. This was a very timely message for me today. Great post.

    Blessings,
    Paige

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  21. Cherie - Great to see you! That truth is one I need to continually keep before me. Sometimes I forget that this life is not about me and my comfort, it's about magnifying my great Savior and making Him known. Trust IS key! I'm finding that out more and more. So thankful He's got all the answers - very relieving that I don't need to figure it all out! God continue to bless you, my friend!

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  22. Paige - Welcome to Life Lessons! Thanks so much for following and leaving a comment. Looking forward to getting to know you. Have a wonderful week! God bless!

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  23. Great post and a great reminder for me!!
    Things are so much better if we allow God to be in charge! I have struggled with this so many times. I have always come to realise that His ways are indeeed way better than mine!!
    I am just getting back to blogging and visiting after my daughters wedding on the 10th April.
    Have a great day!
    Hugs and blessings sweet friend.

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  24. Hi Maria -

    I think we've all been guilty of that game. Sometimes we forget that He can see where our choices will lead. He directs us in the paths of life of godliness.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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