Today’s Daily Bread ~ My Way vs. His Way

John 7:16-17 – So Jesus told them, “I’m not teaching my own ideas, but those of God who sent me.  Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

I have been at 96.3 KSCS in Dallas for nine years.  That’s hard for me to believe sometimes.  My co-hosts knew me during my single, clubbing days; they saw me prance into the studio all starry eyed the year I met my husband.  They predicted, on-air, that Mike and I would get engaged while vacationing in Napa Valley (we did).  They both had close-up seats at my wedding, and they were among the first to know when I was pregnant.  Hawkeye even came to visit me in the hospital when I had Caitlyn.  The three of us have been through a lot together.

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be on a morning show.  I wanted to work in country music and meet the stars.  It’s interesting how it all came together.

When I was fresh out of college I couldn’t get a radio gig to save my life.  I applied for a full time promotions job that paid $16,500.  Denied.  I must’ve knocked on every door in town.  No openings.  I was frightened, broke and frustrated when I finally left Kansas City and moved in with my parents in Keller.  We went to church one morning, and I cried all the way through the service.  It had been so long since I’d sought the council of God that I felt unworthy of approaching Him.

The problem is crystal clear to me now, looking back.  I was pushing for my plan.  God said, “Mine is better.”

Do realize that when Jesus came to earth, He had absolutely no agenda?  No plan, no will aside from His Heavenly Father’s.  And He did nothing without seeking the Father’s guidance.  Luke 5:16 – But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

My children, ages three and four, have yet to conform to this idea of laying their agendas down (try not to be shocked).  Caitlyn and her little friends love to play house.  And mommy is the coveted role.  When my daughter doesn’t get to be the mom, she’ll first scream and cry.  Then she’ll attempt to manipulate the game.  “Then you be the mommy and I’ll be the teacher,” she sniffles.  Problem: house doesn’t work when you have only a mommy and a teacher.  Pause a moment before you laugh.  We do the same thing.

We get angry and jealous when someone else gets the promotion, or another person is asked to chair a committee.  We pout when our ideas are dismissed.  We want to quit when we feel we aren’t valued.  When things don’t go our way, do we go to God and ask Him to show us His will so we can align ours with it, or do we send up a “honey-do” list that would make our lives easier?  We don’t serve Santa Clause Jesus.  We serve the sovereign God, the Master Conductor who orchestrates His Creation with perfect timing, for His perfect plan.

When we try to manipulate events and push our agendas we look like apple trees trying to produce figs.  Have you ever seen an apple tree bear any other fruit than apples?  No.  And I imagine if you did it would be a very frustrated tree.  Apple trees grow, bloom, and produce the fruit their Creator deemed appropriate.  We are the only creatures in nature that fight our designer.  A monkey doesn’t try to run with the wolves.  A bird doesn’t attempt to burrow into the ground with the worms.

Jesus lived in perfect obedience because He lived in the center of the Father’s will.  John 8:28-29 – So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will realize that I am He and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak what the Father taught me.  And the one who sent me is with me – He has not deserted me.  For I always do those things that are pleasing to Him.”

My conscience always sounds a warning bell when I’m out of line with God’s plan.  It starts as just a nagging little whisper, a little butterfly in my stomach.  And the longer I ignore it the louder it gets.  Are you frustrated?  Uncomfortable?  Restless?  I don’t know what the Lord has in mind for you specifically, but I do know that He wants you to experience peace.  John 16:33 – I have told you all this so you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Dear Heavenly Father, we love You so much!  What is Your will for us, God?  Show where You want us and how to get there.  God, we ask that today you would reveal Yourself to us in some way, and don’t let us miss it!  Please give us a glimpse of Your glory; let us feel Your immeasurable love for us so we can share it with others.  Shower us with Your grace so we can do the same to the people in our lives.  Put Your words in our mouths, Lord.  We each have burdens, help us to lay them down at the foot of the cross.  We give your our hopes, our dreams, and our plans, and we ask for Your peace in return.  Thank You for Your Son, Lord Jesus Christ.  It is in His beautiful name that we pray.  Amen.