It’s been a while since I’ve written an introspective post, a post that captures my inward being instead of posts about events of the day or the people that I find fascinating or various and worthy initiatives…
But introspective is how I am feeling right about now so here is what flows…Over the past couple of weeks, I have experienced some events in my life that have reminded me that no matter what achievements I have accomplished, no matter how optimistic I am in general, no matter how many people I have in my corner and on and on…at the end of the day, I’m powerless…and it’s alright. It’s even a gift…Think about it…None of us are even in control of the next breath we take, and so when life reminds me of that, I am forced to cling to God yet again and acknowledge apart from God, I can do nothing…And yet, with God, I can do everything…
And I think trials of our own making or random events of evil or even delays in blessings come (filtered through the loving-kindness of Jehovah-Shammah) to remind us it is God, not us, that controls our destiny. Over the past 6-7 months, I have found myself in a near constant state of “gotta do this, gotta do that,” and as things have happened, I can sometimes think that things are happening because of all my activity…And while I may have tended to my garden, it is only God that has given the increase…Trust. The moment I get that thing twisted, something or someone reminds me that it’s all God and none of me…
That’s why I love this video that Tyler Perry created on how to be successful. He acknowledges that it is only the grace of God that has allowed him to achieve his success…
And it seems that Tyler Perry is experiencing one of those events that reminds us of our powerlessness…the fire at his beautiful studios last week. We cannot prevent the calamities that happen in our lives from time to time, but we can see the calamities for what they are – opportunities to recognize that we are powerless, but with God, we are powerful and capable of enduring and overcoming…What a gift! And I always have to reclaim my favorite Bible verse Romans 8:28. And we know that in all things (good and bad) God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Any thoughts?
Im in an “interesting” season in my life and now know all that you shared in this post: it was, is and never will be about me or what I have done … but only through Christ. Now my constant and consistent prayer is “Lord help me (i.e. ego, might, “free” will, planning, agagonizing) to decrease so that You may increase. Thanks for the post/reminder.
*agonizing*
You’re welcome…Interesting season for me too:)
Excellent post, Jackie! We have to remind ourselves often that our sufficiency is only through God.
Thank you Chicki! Very much so…