Like many of you, I was taught to pray for anything and everything and to end the prayer by saying, “If it be thy will”.
With some analysis, it can seem to be somewhat of a paradox, doesn’t it? Lord, I am praying a heartfelt prayer for… “X”, but, only if it is within your will for me (or those I’m praying for). For me, ending prayers in such a way is a declaration that I am in full surrender for God’s plan for my life. But, wait… what happens when…??
This morning I said such a prayer. I was getting ready for an important phone call that I was hoping and expecting to go a certain way. After about thirty minutes of what I felt was a productive dialogue, I received the news I was looking for. I was scheduled for the next step in the process. But just before the call ended, an important aspect of the information was shared with me and I (mentally) stopped in my tracks. The individual continued to talk, but my thoughts had taken a serious left turn and I was thinking… (thankfully to myself), WAIT! WHAT?!?! SERIOUSLY? ARE YOU SURE? THAT DOESN’T SOUND RIGHT?!?! Oh my…
Luckily, I played it off well, and left the individual believing we were in lock step in our thinking. However, an hour later, I’m still thinking… WHAT?? Then it dawned on me. What had I prayed for earlier?
As I’ve thought about this, I had to take a BIG step back. First, it’s important for me to redefine for myself what total surrender looks and feels like. Second, its just as important for me to be reminded that surrender doesn’t mean that I get to be the co-pilot of the outcome. God, I understand you’re the experienced pilot here, but just remember, I’m here to take over whenever you need me to?!?
In a previous blog I shared the message that’s on a small plaque in my bathroom that I see every day. “Don’t worry about tomorrow – God is already there”. If I choose to believe that, then wouldn’t it make sense that I need to walk through a door that God has just opened for me? And not just walk through it, but do so as my very best self and as a reflection of who He is through me?
The very same God who is already at tomorrow, also sees what I cannot yet see (or might never see) and knows that perhaps this single door may open others that are in my best interest and in the best interest of others.
The Message translation of Proverbs 3:5 says:
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Today, I sensed a firm reminder of all of this. A spiritual nudge for sure. This wouldn’t be the path that I would have carved out for myself. I’m pretty confident my personal journey GPS would be guiding me in a different direction. But I am going to embrace the gift of this door that He has opened and I’m going to boldly walk through it. I won’t know what, if anything, develops from me doing so, but one thing I do know is that I will be surrounded in God’s love and peace having done so.
There’s likely no better fitting song for today than “Thy Will Be Done” by Hillary Scott and her family. Some of you may know of Hillary as she is also part of the Country group Lady Antebellum. This is a song she wrote while in the midst of deep sadness and pain. I encourage you to read more about her experience and journey. If you listen to the words of her song and her captivating emotion, you too can be reminded that God sees us and He hears us, always.