I believe this blog has just experienced its longest drought ever: three days shy of one month with nothing so much as a quick hello. All five of you that still pop over here probably had to brush off some cobwebs just to see if anything was new, and for that I simultaneously apologize and thank you! To say that this summer has taken on a life of its own, would be the understatement of 2010, and while God’s had me busy with gIRL and busy with my little GRANDgirl, I’ve missed my time “traveling the road home” with you! Thanks, again, for still stopping by!
There has been one thing lately that I’ve really been chewing on. It’s been about trying to keep my hands out of things so God can move. Consider this passage:
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.
2 Samuel 6:1-7 NIV
This story has always bothered me. I’ve always thought God was, if you’ll allow this, out of line on this one. I mean, the poor guy just reacted when the ox stumbled and it looked like the ark was going down. When he didn’t know what else to do, he stuck his hand out to help.
Maybe I feel for Uzzah so deeply because I do this all the time. My motto seems to always be “when you don’t know what to do, do something.” If I see something not playing out like I thought it would or should, my mind immediately starts to work out a different scenario that might salvage the situation, or better yet, put it completely back on track. However, in many cases, my quick reaction is not what’s needed. In fact, my sudden involvement has, more often than not, made the overall situation much less than what it could’ve been had I just kept my hands out of it. And this brings me to another verse:
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.
2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV
Note that there are no quick reactions or hands being thrust out or “plan B’s” being offered up in that verse. NONE. Their only action at a fork in their road is to keep their eyes on God. That’s it.
And maybe that’s what we learn from Uzzah’s demise. We’re privileged to be involved – every one of us – in God’s holy work. It’s a work that He hasn’t asked us to formulate or strategize or try to reorganize when things don’t seem to be going quite right; He’s just asked us to be willing and to follow Him. When we try to put our own spin on things, even with the best intentions, the results will be disappointing to us all.
Are you at a fork in your road? Things not going like you’d thought or planned? Try stopping and getting a strong focus on God. And I’ll join you.
With my hands in my pockets.
Oh man…what a timely post my friend.
We are at a fork in the road…and God's been really dealing with me about not getting my hands in there…and making things turn out as I think they should.
I'm a doer…so I gravitate to need….but this time…I believe God is calling me to sit…and wait…and let him do the pulling.
Blessings.
I sure needed this!
I've been in a dry place and I don't like it. I feel (there's that word "feel")like I have to do something but all I hear is be still.
Yes, it feels like I have put up residence at the fork in the road…but let us drop to our knees and clasp our hands in prayer. Because that is doing something AND waiting for God.
So good to see you here…
Blesssings.
Melinda:
YOu are so right. We need to "Let go and let God."
I love this! As a fellow sister in the 'do something' club, I will join you with my hands in my pockets. Looking forward to what God will do next.
You just have to know that my entire life is represented by a fork (and spoon, and knife!). I seem to live at the fork, which has served to keep me humble (or stymied) before the Lord.
I love it that I cannot control everything (or anything). I used to say, "When all else fails, trust God." How silly & short-sighted!
Best to trust Him up front, whether something SEEMS to be succeeding or failing. Only time will tell which is which.
Waiting at the Y / fork (again!).
Kathleen
Crazy how we like to "help" God, huh? 🙂 Good thoughts, Melinda.
Btw, I've got you on my Google Reader so I know when to pop in to your site. Love that feature of Google — less for me to remember! 🙂
Welcome back!
That was a great post. I, too, struggle with thinking I have to get in there and "do something". I've got a situation going on right now that I'm trying to figure out what to do or not do, so thanks for these wise words.
Blessings,
Joanne
So true Melinda. I tend to do the same thing. Always trying to put my "two cents" in and fix things or manipulate them in some way. God so doesn't need that from me!
With hands in my pockets too…..
Ummmm and yes and amen a thousand times over. Reaching my hands out toward things that aren't mine to reach for just because it seems the right thing to do or for lack of anything seemingly better to do. I'm at the crossroads, sister, more than you know. And while I see a thousand things I could be doing and have attempted on occasion, none of them are fitting perfectly.
I'm just stumped… profoundly stumped and, if I'm not careful, doubts creep in to overtake faith, and them I become paralyzed.
Stumped and paralyzed. How's that for effectiveness in the kingdom of God?
Thanks for this. Love you. Have missed you. Can't wait to see you in September.
peace~elaine