Learn to release

There are times when you cannot understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in, but wait. The blank space may come in order to teach you what sanctification means, or it may come after sanctification to teach you what service means. Never run before God's guidance. If there is the slightest doubt then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt, don't. Oswald Chambers.
Learn to release.
Wow, I see how easily we become misguided! The picture of sheep, shepherd, and flock is one to ponder. In the movie 'City Slickers' Billy Crystal decides to have fresh ground coffee on a cattle drive. When he turns on the  grinder, the cattle stampede. They are startled and they start running, causing much grief to everyone. It is indeed a humorous and unforgettable scene. God has much to teach us through the behavior of animals. Look at politicians on opposite sides of an issue and you will find they both have stampeding followers behind them. If you look at Israel in the Bible, when they are following God and depending on His providence and guidance they are not stampeding or arguing. The minute they start to complain, like about the absence of meat in the desert, God sends quail and severe stomach cramps commence. They may have been tired of just eating manna but they were starting to doubt and complain. Doubting and complaining are the first indications that we are stepping away from God. We all do it and we all cause others to doubt as well. It is human nature, but God calls us to be set apart. Sanctified for His glory, just like He called Israel. Israel had God's chosen one to lead them and teach them. They had Moses and the prophets in the flesh. God has not left us today in the dark. God has in fact raised up many wise men and women to shine light on the our path but we also have the Holy Spirit and God's Word to guide and protect us. Yet at times we are all in the desert complaining about the manna and no meat. Maybe it's the car that keeps breaking down and the nice shiny new one we cannot afford. Or maybe you are tired and drained of energy and people are wanting to depend on you. It could be that others are worried and they want you to be worried with them. If we converse with one another and discuss issues then we will hear others' concerns and worries and what we have to say, or not say, matters. Are we walking so close to God and so intimately with His Word that we seem to have a bulletproof vest on against worry? Do we have the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the sandals of peaceful readiness? If not, we will indeed fall prey to the stampede of worry and anxiety. The only way to learn to release is to be well equipped with the armor of God.
Reading Oswald this morning I pondered what was consuming my most precious possession on this earth - how I spend my time. You see, I have been consumed with 'should we sell our house and get one that fits more our empty nest needs or just stay put?' House needs upkeep, updates, two people, four bedrooms, wasted space, etc., etc., you know the drill.
Discontent soon becomes the instrument that suffocates the life right out of us.
Talk to friends and neighbors and they are often facing the same dilemmas with no answers. Guess what? After this dilemma the next one is ready to jump in! This is human nature, and a battle of the flesh but God called us to be set apart and to put on the armor of God. It is such a sweet release and He wants us to know it here and now. We have our ideas of comfort, service, and well-being but they are not God's and cannot compare to His wonders that He has prepared for us.
Be still and know...when in doubt, don't.
If we wait and are determined to fill our minds with our Father's truth and will, when He says 'go' we will be prepared for good work. I, as much as everyone else, waste much time, create obstacles and hardships that my Lord never intended. With my worry or impulsive agenda I too have caused much needless worry and hardship and obstacles for others. We all have and we all do with what we think are good intentions. When we feel God distinctly has something for us to do, pray and wait on His timing. This is not putting off, this is trusting God. If we rush His timing we will end up making difficulties that were never His intent.
God can do in an instant what would have taken us years and He will do it without any heartbreak, stress, or disappointment.
'When it is a question of the providential will of God wait for God to move.'
If we desire to live as Christ, and be about our Father's business then we will desire to wait! Then when He says 'go' we will go!
  
     Heavenly Father please calm our anxious hearts and replace it with your peace.  Give us the desire to be still and know You; so we may walk with You well equipped for Your good work.  In Your Son's Jesus name I pray. Amen

Love to all in Christ Jesus C:)