Friday, August 8, 2014

Wisdom

I was watching an interview with Condoleezza Rice, yes that Condoleezza.  She was the National Security Advisory in the United States when the twin towers went down on 9/11.  The interview was not about politics, thankfully, but more about the person behind the position.  Condoleezza talked about her faith in God and how her faith helped her make difficult decisions.  But she was quick to point out that she did not always hear an answer from God about a specific situation.  She said, and I am paraphrasing, "It's the prayer, Bible reading, seeking counsel from Godly people, that gives you the wisdom that you need at the right time to make a decision."

What a concept.  How many of us say, "God, what's next?" and wait to hear an answer.  Perhaps we are waiting for someone to say, "I have a house that I am trying to sell and God told me that you were looking."  Sure, God can work that way too.  But what if God just wants us to read the Bible over and over again until it becomes a part of us.  Then, when a situation comes up, we are ready to make the appropriate decision because of what we have learned.  Miracles do happen, but maybe another miracle happens when we finally learn that our relationship with God takes preparation and time.  Take step and show some...faith.  Only then, will God's wisdom be shown as what it truly is, a miracle.


Friday, August 1, 2014

Even Oprah Knows

Can you finish the sentence?   It you want something done right, do it _____...that's right, "yourself."  So many of us buy into that philosophy.  Much of the time it works.  But after days, weeks, and even years of doing everything under your own strength, you just can't do it anymore.  

Believe it not, that's what God is waiting for.  The Bible challenges us to cast our cares on him.  I think most of us make the mistake of casting our cares only during a crisis.  Make no mistake, God is there during the crisis.  But I believe his true plan for our life is complete surrender.  Surrender is when we truly give up and let him lead...everything.

Even Oprah knows what it means to surrender.  It takes a few minutes to watch, but to hear her heart, is worth it.



Maybe it's time for you to sing a few lines of that old hymn.