I'm fairly certain I am learning that the hard way. Through no one's fault but my own of course. I get so involved with something that I begin to expect certain things or try to will something to happen. It most definitely seems worth it in the thick of things. But where does it leave you in the end? Standing alone, with a handful of broken dreams.
The secular world, and Christians alike (myself included), live by the motto, "My will be done." There is no place for this kind of selfishness in God's world. I think Paul makes it quite clear in Romans chapter twelve that we are not to live our lives in such a manner.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 NIV
Praying about the situation does not imply that it will happen or that your hopes/dreams will come to fruition. Especially if your prayer sounds anything like this, "Lord, please allow/cause/make this happen." I have learned this in the distant and also immediate past. I have learned to pray about the situation seeking an answer, not my answer, but any answer in accordance with God's will. Even now as I write this I have a deep longing - a yearning so to speak for a handful of things. But, I will only pray for wisdom and the Lord's guidance as the particular situations progress.
God is a supreme being, but not one who lusts after control for power's sake. God wants our trust to be in him. Trust that God knows what is absolutely best for us. Trust that,
"...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV
The more I think about it, I am relieved to know that I am not in control over my own life. The instances in which I have tried, I've messed up big time.
"Our Lord did not ask us to give up the things of earth, but to exchange them for better things."
-Fulton J. Sheen
- J. Van
