This problem parked itself in the middle of my life and refused to budge. Callouses covered my knees, pages of my Bible hung by slivers and my supply of index cards was bigger than Staples. My stomach rumbled from fasting and recording prayers drained ink from my pen. I collected enough advice to write my own book .
It’s never enough
I’m a one-woman ball team: up to bat, snag my own line drive, throw the ball to myself to make the out. Dust billows as I slide into the plate, single-handedly covering all the bases.
Still, I haven’t scored a single run
“I am tired coach, can you put me on the bench?”
I can’t control anything; I can’t even control myself. I beg God,
Deliver me
Help me
Change others
Solve my problems
Heal my diseases
Wait!
I forgot.
Who’s on first?
Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be provided for you.” HCSB
Maybe I only need to cover home plate.
His kingdom…
Mostly, I cry out to God about my own disheveled kingdom. Don’t get me wrong, my problems aren’t trivial; likely neither are yours, but the outcome doesn’t depend on my effort.
God whispered to my heart,
That’s enough
Actually, He is enough
You and I are not God, so stop it
Stop trying to be a one-woman show
Psalm 62:1-2, “God, the one and only-I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle: I’m set for life.” MSG
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
God won’t let me take one step off of the solid rock. He won’t even let me stick my big toe into the surrounding sand. He alone is able to meet my needs.
You can trust God with the outcome of your kingdom and His because He can handle it. Our position is to love Him with our whole heart. When Jesus Christ is our foundation there is unexplainable peace, in spite of it all.
Seek Him first…
God’s Word is full of promises, but let’s face it, a happy ending to every problem isn’t one of them. Thankfully, we are never separated from the love of Christ, even when life spins out of control, the cancer comes back, the diagnosis is confirmed, the pink slip is delivered, the divorce is final, the money isn’t enough or the death certificate is signed. God is still God, He is still on His throne and His love never fails.
Romans 8:35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” NIV
It’s game-over when God’s sufficient love is truly better than life. Nothing else matters; not your circumstances, not the outcome and not your kingdom or mine.
Psalm 63:3, “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!” NLT
Quit running yourself ragged
Peace rules when the glove comes off; so I quit. No, I won’t quit reading my Bible, praying or clinging to scripture. I’ll quit fighting for myself and my kingdom, because God says seek Him and He will fight for me. Are you exhausted from trying to fix it all? Maybe you need to quit too.
I was never enough anyway
My problem is still parked in the middle of my life, but God said He’s enough, and He is. Now I’ll spend more time praying, reading and worshiping, but I’ll be refreshed rather than depleted. What about that problem parked in your life? God can handle it, but you may have to get out of the way..
Besides, there’s no such thing as a one-woman team
By the way guys, there’s no such thing as a one-man team either.
Oh, I can certainly relate to this! Praise God – He IS enough! Thanks, Vickie. Welcome back. 😉
He definitely is
Thanks for this post Vickie. I needed to read this today. I have been working on the weekends for the past year and a half, making enough extra income to pay my house payment each month and this week the client I was working for was placed in a nursing facility and I went into panic mode knowing that I was going to come up short of meeting the budget. I need to be reminded that God is in control and He is able!!!! I appreciate your heart and your sharing.
It isn’t easy but it brings complete peace. Praying for you
Ouch. Where is that bench…I saw it somewhere, I know I did!
I sat on it and then got up…
Psalm 63:3, “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!” i have claimed this scripture many days – feeling as though I am dying or have died… I claim God’s love and grab hold of His strong hand-
That’s a hard truth to walk in. Praying for you
Vickie, So many times I have prayed and handed over issues, only to take them back. Thank you so much for this sweet reminder that I am not in control. Amen and God bless you!
Truly it’s a wrestling match for me
This particular blog makes me think of Natalie Grant’s song, “When did I forget that you are the King of the World”
I heard that for the first time yesterday. It’s beautiful
“I quit.” Oh boy, have I “quit” this summer! Your message is right on track with some of the things God’s been showing me lately. There’s never enough achieving. Being “perfect.” Saying the right things…How light I feel resting in a simple relationship with Him. I’m a work in progress! I’m right there with you Vickie:) Great word.
I hope you are better at resting and staying there than I am. Often my own words slap me in the face. Thanks for your words
He lived and died and rose again initially for our salvation but this was just because of man’s fall. God’s ultimate plan was for the risen Christ to become “the life giving Spirit” 2Cor15:45b. God created a spirit in man (Zechariah 12:1) as a receiving organ so we are able to gain Him ( I count all things to be loss … that I may gain Christ – Phil 3:8) and let Him live through us (It is no longer I that lives but it is Christ who lives in me Gal 2:20). Then we feel His yoke which is easy and burden which is light.
Yes! Easy and light
Thank you.