These two simple phrases is all it takes for God to come thru exponentially. Now, yes, God is always on the move, always speaking, always doing something or already has done something. We just need to stop for a moment and press in to see what it is we need to do, who need to talk to, what the Lord is saying to us. “Be still and know that I am God”. Where am I going with this you may wonder?
Praise and thanksgiving is saturated throughout scripture especially in the New Testament. Paul starts out most of his letters with praise and thanksgiving to God before he got into the meat of the topic. Why? Because “…He is good! For his mercy endures forever,” “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night…,” “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” Simply put without Him we are nothing. Because of Him we are still here with all our needs taken care of. All praise and glory to the Most High! It’s being grateful for what you have, where you’re at, and how you got there. Not by your might and will alone but by the might and will of the Father. Who am I without the utter guidance and provisions of my Lord? I say all this because without Him I wouldn’t be preparing to go on this year long trip with a group of strangers I’ve met only once and still know little about, but at the same time like I’ve known them most my life. Without Him I wouldn’t be half way funded ready to launch this January! So, thank you Lord for being so faithful and true especially when I was not. And at the same time yes Lord!
Yes Lord, here am I send me. In order for me to be where I’m at today it started with a yes into the uncertainty of the vast unknown trusting that no matter what God’s got this and everything is in His hands as long as I also partner with Him and play my roll as well. “Faith without works is dead.” I have a part to play in this Kingdom Journey God placed before me. It won’t be easy but yet God never promised life with Him would be easy. Actually He promises the opposite. “…the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head,” “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution,” “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” and yet “…out of them all the Lord delivered me.” All it takes is a simple “yes God” a willingness to let go and let God be God as you trustingly step out into faith and the promise that at the end of the day no matter what happens God’s got you. Even if it doesn’t make sense and is so far outside your comprehension and understanding; yet still willing to press in closer to God, trusting that all things are taken care of and that He’s true to His word. “He will never leave you nor forsake you,” “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness then all these things shall be added unto you.”
These two simple phrases has significantly wrecked and reformed my faith. I actually began to practice this by being challenged and thrown out of my comfort zone, going outside of myself to meet the needs of others; by being present and more intentional with relationships. Testing God in ways I never conceived or dared to do. Radically expecting Him to do what needs to be done by standing on truth of His words and promises saying hey I need you, I can’t do this without you, this can’t manifest without you. Inviting Him into my daily life consulting His greatness and vast wisdom while simultaneously being emptied and poured into by the vastness of His love and goodness. I’ve tangibly felt and experienced God in new ways that not only solidified my belief and trust in Him but left me wanting more. Thirsting for more to quench this desire of what’s next. I think I understand more of this “…peace that surpasses all understanding.” Regardless of my current situation and how certain things are going to be taken care of I have this sense of peace that it’s okay. Just focus on what I need to do and have the faith to just know that everything else in all realms and aspect is taken care of. “It is finished.” Why allow worry to consume and distract me from the greater things that must be addressed.
So, as I wrap up this blog of praise, yes, and amen, I want to impart to you a challenge of self. The hollowness that grows void within you, seeking and desiring to be filled with something more outside itself, just say yes. That longing that yearns to be fulfilled as you gaze upon the horizon in awe of the scenery painted by the great Artist seemingly meant just for you, say yes. Just say yes and thank you Lord to whatever you feel being laid on your heart and see for yourself how good the Father is. Don’t take my word for it. Experience it for yourself; let go and let God. Be blessed.
