Something To Share

Before Christmas, while school was still in session, I paid a trip to the bookstore (like I pretty much do on an almost daily basis to get something to drink or snack on) and was looking through the books. Now, the majority of the books they have, of course, are text books for courses (or ones not being used anymore that can still be purchased). But they do have other books as well, such as some novels, kids books, devotions, etc.

I saw a devotional that was on sale (around $6.00) and since I needed to spend a minimum of $5 so I could use my debit card to purchase my bottle of Diet Pepsi, I picked it up. I was wanting a new devotional anyway so I think I lucked out on the price. I bought "My Utmost For His Hightest" by Oswald Chambers and I started reading it midway in December, and my goal for this year is to read one each day, as the devotions are marked off according to the date (no years are given). I have been mulling this thought over since January 1st because I wanted to do this fantastic post about it that everyone would love and rave over. However, my brain is not working right and I can't find the words to really say. Maybe I will come up with something as I type this though. If not, I can always discuss the subject again another day. Besides, I'm not doing this to impress anyone or win over friends or whatever. Hmm, maybe if I do that I can get more hits to my blog (LOL), but I digress...

Anyway, I wanted to share a part of the devotion that spoke to me for January 1, something to make you think. It says:

"But before we choose to follow God's will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God's gentler nudges. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate. He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide - for or against. That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably." (January 1, My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers)

Often when we are in a crisis, or hear of someone else who is, the thought tends to be "why is this happening?" or "why is God doing this?", or something similar. I believe that a lot of the times we face crisis situations is because God is wanting us to learn to draw near to Him, to learn to turn to Him in our time of need, or He is wanting us to learn patience, trust (or any number of other lessons). We don't tend to listen, as Mr. Chambers said, to the 'gentle nudges' of God. We are human and all too often try to rely on ourselves to get through situations, to overcome obsticles, to succeed and accomplish goals or what have you, all by our own merits.

I believe that God brings us to a crisis so that we learn to depend more on Him and less on ourselves. Yeah, sure the crisis is often times hard or hurts to the center of our being, but when we learn to depend on God and allow Him to lead us, we are much better off and we become stronger in our faith and trust for Him.

I don't know if what I have said even relates to the quote or not, but I think both the quote and what I have said can serve (if for nothing or no one else) as a reminider for myself to hand over the reins to God.

**Note to self: let God be the one in Control, and remember that during a crisis.