Holding Up Scorecards

“God is love…There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…We love because he first loved us. Love is patient, love is kind…it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 John 16-19; 1 Co. 13:4-8

The other day I was speaking with one of my favorite women who had been struggling for many months with a life altering decision. This decision would affect everyone in her family. She had been praying for many months, meditating on God’s word and seeking professional counseling. She finally felt as if she couldn’t prolong the decision anymore. Once the decision was made she confided in me that the biggest reason for her delay was the fear that this decision would be stepping out of God’s will. She had paralysis in analysis! Two weeks ago she felt she heard God say, ‘Daughter, it is time!’

The initial decision created such an emotional reaction she naturally questioned whether she stepped out of His will. She made the comment that she feels like God is sitting up there saying, ‘Satan won.’ We went on to talk about God’s role as Father in our lives and the character of God as He relates to us personally and the decisions we make. Her heart was not broken at the circumstances of her marriage but more by the possibility of stepping out of the will of God.

We do not have a Father who condemns every step we take and holds back His plan in some mysterious manner. Joanna Weaver sums it up as follows: ‘Worst of all, we may persist in viewing God as an aloof and distant judge, holding up a scorecard to rate our every attempt to please Him, rather than seeing Him as He truly is – a loving Father on bended knee with hands outstretched and a smile as big as eternity. Praising our every step. Picking us up when we stumble. Helping us walk while He teaches us to run. Ready with the acceptance and approval we have been killing ourselves to obtain on our own.” p. 67

He wants to reveal the next step and broaden our faith. Each step will normally involve several confirmations along with peace apart from resolution which is what happened by the end of the first day. It seems as if each day brings about another confirmation from God.

Being in the will of the God doesn’t mean it will be easy but it means it will be possible.