God can only take you as far as you're willing to go




For those of you who have Children, I'm sure you are all too familiar with how it feels to deal with a reluctant child. When they are babies, they're usually pretty easy to handle. Hug them, feed them, love them, change them, and most of the time, unless they are sick or colicky, it's all good.

But about the time they turn two, they start developing a will of their own, which of course is only natural and how it has to be, but it starts getting a little more difficult from that time on, and doesn't end until.....never.

Sure, eventually they leave your house and become their own person, with their own plans and their own will, which is still going to run contrary to your will for them now and then.

When they're small though, you get to make the decisions; at least that's how it's supposed to work. But there are times when you make a decision that you know is going to be the right one for them, and even bless them and make them happy, yet still they will baulk and fight you on it.

Isn't that how we are at times with our heavenly Father though?

He has a grand plan for us; he sees all the little ins and outs. He knows that his plan is going to bless us ultimately, although the journey there may be somewhat rocky. Still, it's the best plan, and because he loves us so much, he wants only the very best for us.

But we, being the typical children that we are- start doing the pouting, baulking- and occasional fit throwing that kids are famous for.

I don't want to go! You can't make me! Or I'll go, but I won't have a good time.

Are those statements familiar to anyone beside myself? Don't they understand that we're just trying to help them? That we want them to be happy?

I wonder why we have such narrow vision that we often don't see this same stubbornness and reluctance in ourselves towards God.

Why is it so hard just to trust him, to trust that he is big enough to make the right decisions for us? In Proverbs 3:5 & 6, we are advised thus: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (NKJV)

I guess it is just human nature to be contrary and stubborn and I know that I can be guilty of being exactly that way. There are many times that I have bucked at God's leading, tried to break loose of his gentle rein and run free when I feel his hand on my heart exerting me to go in a certain direction or to act in a certain way.

I wish that I wasn't so stubborn, I pray about it, even bind stubbornness from my heart, and although, I may be victorious over my stubbornness in a particular situation, alas, it is never a permanent solution or victory.

The title of this chapter is 'God can only take you as far as you're willing to go', and some might ask: Well, how can you say that? Isn't God big enough to do just whatever he wants? If he wants to take us somewhere specific, can't he just do it?

And the answer: Of course, but that's not how God chooses to do things.

Now we, who are parents, know the meaning of enforcing our will upon our children. If they need to go to the dentist for example, we take them; we make them go because it is in their best interest to go and get their teeth cleaned, cavities filled, etcetera. No matter how much they protest, whine, or even cry, they're still going!

Not so with God. Although he will nudge us, sometimes even several times over a certain matter, and if you're full of the Holy Spirit and sensitive to his voice, he will speak to you about it in a gentle and quiet voice, but God will never force you to do something, even though it's going to be the best thing for you.

Our will has to be in subjugation to his. We have to come to a point where we say, 'God, whatever you want is best for me, and that's what I want also'.

I may have an idea of something that I want to occur, but if I'm just totally set on my will and how I want things to go, then I'm very much at risk of missing something great that God has for me.

In your life: Do you see patterns of stubbornness or childish willfulness that may be preventing you from doing what God wants you to?

Are you willing to make the right decisions today that will bring your destiny in line with his plan for you?

My prayer for all of us is that we will ask God daily; what is it that you have for me Father and what can I do in obedience to your Will?

Let us be good and obedient Children and remember that God's plans really are the best. Here's a good scripture to meditate on:

Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

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