"I want you to be all Mine. I am weaning you from other dependencies. Your security rests in Me alone; not in other people, not in circumstances... I am always before you, beckoning you on - one step at a time." (22)
When God is in the process of "weaning" us from "all other dependencies" it can seem quite uncomfortable. It reminds me of "weaning" a child from a pacifier. These are the times when we, like small children, feel most vulnerable and insecure. We tend to struggle with being detached from the comfortable and the most familiar.
Specifically, because I tend to be more relational, it has been quite painful to be "weaned" from certain relationships or environments, not because they were bad, but because I had become so attached. The struggle actually became an opportunity for personal growth and insight.
In retrospect, I can see how a God-crafted, risk-laden adventure helped me to shake off a kind of lethargic, comfortable season in my spiritual walk. Thus, I've had to be "more" dependent upon God and less dependent on others. So, I'm learning to change my struggle into a snuggle...with God!
My friend, Melissa, shared the following, which was so insightful I wanted to include it...
She said..."I liked the commentary for Deuteronomy 33:27 in my bible. It says "No storm can destroy us when we take refuge in him. Those without God, however, must be forever cautious". There have been times I was scared of change or even to be bold for God because of "what might happen", but Romans 8:39 gives us the promise that nothing will be able to separate us from His love! So if we live for God what can happen? Obviously my world doesn’t come crumbling down when changes occur or even when I step out of my comfort zone. In fact, I am closer to God in the process because I am leaning on His everlasting arms! Psalm 18:30 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."
How true...Thanks, Melissa!
I am learning daily that my "security rests in Him alone; not in other people, not in circumstances." In the midst of all this, I deeply desire for God to be more and more glorified in more and more dimensions of my life this year. So, rather than struggling with God, I choose to...
Snuggle in Tight...dmc
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I love your analogy of “snuggling with God.” That would be a good description of my morning devotions, however I must leave the comfort of His arms to go out into the world everyday. The best part of that is He goes with me!
ReplyDelete(I am deeply humbled Dawn Marie that you used that post.) When I read “Obviously my world doesn’t come crumbling down” my thoughts went to times that I really thought they would crumble. However God proved faithful (as He always does) by turning what I thought was bad and using it for His good and mine. Trials (and being vulnerable) are hard to bear sometimes, but I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. While doing devotions yesterday I decided to read the Proverb for that day. The last one really made me think. “Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.” Proverbs 20:30 This reminds me of the story about the silversmith in Malachi 3:3.
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ' He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, ' Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.' If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Sorry this was so long, but God really put this on my heart to share.
Living a “God-crafted, risk-laden” life is an adventure I do not want to miss. I pray that the desire to live for God grows deep in each and every one of us!
“I am off on the Ultimate Adventure!” (Awana Theme Song) ;)
AWESOME, Melissa! What an inspirational, anointed illustration! THANKS!!!!
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ReplyDeleteThank you both for allowing God to speak through you. I am in the mist of a divorce and I feel my world is crumbling. I have Hope the He is with me...
ReplyDeleteSweet Cindy, you have my prayers. May you sense God's Presence in new, reassuring ways!
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDeletePraying for u Cindy
ReplyDeletePraying for u Cindy
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