Turn me loose,
turn me loose,
I gotta do it my way
or no way at all…
-Loverboy, 80s & 90s rock band
When the road gets tough, our reactions reveal what is under the surface within us.
There are three ways we respond when the storms are swirling and the waters rising…
1. We let them swallow us, and drown us in our wallowing.
2. We freak out, stress out and run around like Chicken Little screaming the sky is falling.
The first two because we can’t take our eyes of our circumstance or situation. We forget how much bigger God is than our current battle, and we don’t walk in the confidence of Heaven. We turn ourselves loose from the possibilities God has waiting for us.
The last one is what our Abba hopes we will do.
3. Drop to our knees, open wide our arms, and pour out our praise as we seek our Deliverer.
Reaction 1 occurs when we hide away from community, and continually focus on the negative.
Reaction 2 happens when we can’t sit still from the weight of what we were never meant to carry on our own.
But reaction 3?
Falling to our knees in worship is the supernatural opposite of our natural tendencies.
And what God not only longs for us to do, He modelled for us in Jesus.
Jesus as a young teen felt drawn to His Father’s house, to sit at the feet of the rabbis and soak in the Word.
Jesus fell to His knees in prayer before He began His ministry, feeding on the Word instead of food while in the desert place.
Jesus went off to solitary places throughout His ministry to connect with His Father, sometimes with others, as He sought direction.
Jesus prayed so intently as He made His intention known to be willing all the way to the cross, His sweat dripped off Him like blood drops.
Why do we think we don’t need to follow His ways when things get rough?
Part of it I think is our North American & European culture geared for comfort and pleasure.
We have lost the daily stressors which other countries still walk with. Hunger and thirst for physical food. Desiring a roof over their head. Clothes and shoes.
God Himself is our shelter.
Our provider. The very Word we are to feast upon.
We have access to the Kingdom of Heaven as His chosen family members, Beloved.
Don’t allow your temporary circumstances cause you to forget where and to Whom you really belong.
Let’s stop belly gazing and wallowing when times get tough.
Let’s halt our panicked screaming to the world while in the trenches.
Let’s retrain our natural tendencies for those of His Kingdom:
Press in for all our Father has for us.
Invite Jesus to reign over all of your life.
Begin to ask Holy Spirit to reveal what He needs you to know in the here and now.
Rest in His promises.
Praise who He is.
Trust His heart is for you and it will all work itself out for His glory, and your good.
Keep repeating these acts of faith every day, through all things.
Turn God loose over the situations, and watch how He shows Himself strong on your behalf!!
KARLA LEES 