“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
It is in very difficult times that we learn the strength within ourselves but by far show what God is made of.
“ I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
Learning to follow God’s Will is like learning to kayak. When we first get in the kayak, we stay close to shore, afraid to venture out as we are unsure of our balance or strength to row. As we venture out, we become stronger and more confident until we find ourselves mid river.
Then comes the day we see the splash of some rapids. We are afraid to get into these waters, again unsure we can handle them. But, we go forward and get a little wet from a few splashed waves. Until, we find ourselves heading confidently into white water. We can always maintain some control of our kayak. Our oars give us some ability to guide our path. But ultimately, the river is in control.
It is the same with the Will of God. God is a Gentleman, He will never force His Will upon anyone. God gives us free Will (oars), the ability to navigate the world in a manner of our choosing. To a point, as much as we may paddle to avoid the difficult moments, life relentlessly carries us forward. He will allow us long stretches of calm river but there will come times when we must face raging rapids in our life.
How do you prepare for these rapids? How do you gain experience to deal with great white water events?
God gives us the paddles and kayak – the tools necessary to succeed. Prayer, obedience, faith, joy, brothers and sisters of faith and His Son and Mother.
Don’t fight the coming waves. Surrender. “It is what it is” may not be the first phrase that comes to mind when striving toward God’s Will, but maybe it should be. After all, Romans 8:28 tells us this very thing. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.”
Everything that happens in our life is a message from God. When we see this and begin to integrate it into our life, we begin to look down the river without fear. What the future holds ahead is in God’s hands, so “it is what it is” and we paddle forward in confidence and peace along WITH the current.
In life we must face challenges. Many may go beyond our skill and bring great fear when we see the rapids looming ahead. But, when we look at these moments with God in control, we know that what is, is for His glory and to bring us to a strength to face challenges and bring others to God.