Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Week of Prayer

Expectations in ministry have an ebb and flow. Traditionally, many ministries implement their sense of God's direction at the beginning of a new year. With new budgets and fresh resolve, focus and energy is poured into new frontiers... or those needing a boost. However; God reminds us, focusing on our own expectations is not primary. As Jesus said, "yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Matthew 26:39. It goes without saying, that God's will and our expectations will inevitably collide. And when our expectations are challenged by God...we can struggle. Many times the fresh idea is exactly God's will, but what He intends to do through the idea is partially or even completely different than our own expectation. Hannah Whitall Smith writes in her devotional book "God Is Enough", "We cannot follow the Lord fully so long as we are tied fast to anything else, any more than a boat can sail out into the boundless ocean so long as it is tied fast to the shore." We must not tie God's plan down to our personal expectations. Guard against drawing the conclusion for God. Obedience is what He desires. Staying open to God's leading is crucial. Certainly, He brings understanding to faithful leadership. Expect God's leading after setting sail with the idea. He'll guide toward the intended destination. During this week of prayer, may God's voice be heard, His wisdom gained in the implementation of plans, and His will ultimately accomplished in 2006.
- Tim Covert

Tags: , ,
,

No comments: