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Friday, January 06, 2006

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.

15 comments:

Tim said...

I agree totally. I'm at a point in my life where I know God is caling me to do something, but I've been reluctant to follow. As a result, I sense my "life" is in a holding pattern. I know the way out but I just have to do it.

Thanks Shelley

What's my Mission said...

Hey Shelley:
Thought you might find this interesting, if not a bit freaky.
While I was scrapbooking this evening, I was listening to my Weigh-down devotional tapes and guess what book she quoted from... That's right, My utmost for His highest. And guess what quote she read... if you answered the one you posted then you would be correct... and if it wasn't that quote then it was one extremely close to that one. What could God be trying to get across??? HMMMM>>>> i wonder.
Thanks for sharing.

Bonnie S. Calhoun said...

Shelley, that was very profound. My Pastor likes to say, "Sometimes you have to hit rock-bottom before you allow God to pick you up."

I also have the book.

The line," That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives." means a lot to me. In the comments for my Saturday (today) post on my blog, I was asked about how I found Jesus. I chose to put my whole testamony in the comments.

But I say all of that to say, the 'Mission' that I started going to as a church...Is now a real church....the name..."Crossroads of Life!"

HeyJules said...

Shelley, I had just such a crisis almost exactly a year ago and it did indeed get to a point where I had to "let go and let God." It was well worth every minute and every once of suffering to find this truth out.

What sleighs me is how many "Christians" I hear talk about crisis as a reason to walk away from God. I've heard so many people this last year say things like, "If something horrible happened to one of my children I don't know what that would do to my faith" and it always makes me stop dead and think, "Ummm, I think its times like these that are supposed to make our faith even STRONGER..." It just shocks me how many Christians consider bad things a reason to LEAVE God instead of LEAN on him.

David Edward said...

hey that picture looks just like my (deceased) cat, patches! I miss him so

good news i got a new blog template - take a look please

mreddie said...

Sometimes a "gentle nudge" will wake us up and sometimes it takes a whack on the head to get our attention, but the proper response is always toward God and not away as you mentioned - thanks. ec

Joe said...

Good stuff! Oswald Chambers is one of my favorites.

Jennifer said...

Awesome.

Maggie Ann said...

Hi Shelley, what a great devotional you are reading and applying to your life. I don't think I've read that but both our adult kids have I think, when in college. The truths you brought out in your post are just great ...and, its good to be reminded of what is important in life and how God works in such ways, for our good...always.

Ruth said...

hi shelley,
yep - we don't usually have snow here in northern california =)
but yea, this was a blessing because i hadn't seen my little sister since she was in 8th grade (and she just turned 18 last month). she's the one in the middle, and my brother is the guy on the right. =)

Darlene Schacht said...

I like that. Next time I feel that I'm in the middle of a crisis, I can glean comfort from that thought, and know that God is leading me.

Pilot Mom said...

Shelley, I love My Utmost for His Highest. You are in for a treat thise year as you read through it. Oswald Chambers is the best! :)

Kelly said...

Hi Shelley,
I experienced my own crisis recently and your post was an encouraging reminder that really, i just need to let God have His way. Thank you and God bless.

Live, Love, Laugh said...

Good Post, so often God uses ordinary circumstances as a training ground to perfect us.
Some of the worst situations in my life brought me into a deeper knowledge of His delivering, saving grace!

Jenny said...

You're so right.

I'm praying for you today. Not sure why, just got a nudge. So know that you're being thought of and prayed for, girlie!

**hugs**