Striving, Resting, and the Faithfulness of God.

I have been pondering some things and would like to ask what you think about them. Over the past week I have been considering alot of concepts... hopefully you can follow my spaghetti thought patterns...

The eternal nature of God, His great love for us, what it means to strive and rest... All of these thoughts came together for me somewhere between last night and this morning.

I was thinking about manipulation. To manipulate means to to adapt or change (circumstances, money, relationships) to suit one's purpose or advantage. So manipulation, then is essentially witchcraft. When you manipulate someone or something to suit your own desires, you are essentially "casting a spell"... Now that might sound a bit harsh, but just hang in there with me.
For example, if you really want this guy or girl to like you, you could manipulate the circumstances so that you are together a lot and try as hard as you can to get him/her to like you in return. I know this is a silly example, but so relatable. You know you've done this. ;) Not saying that any of these things are inherently bad... it's all in the positioning of the heart. But this process, in some ways, is no different than if you were bathing yourself in Love Potion no. 9 or slipping a pill in the other persons water so that they will fall madly in love with you. See what I mean? It's all in the positioning of the heart. If I am going after something out of fear or insecurity... then I don't trust... Now I am just working through this here so bear with me....But it occurs to me that people do this with money all the time, or jobs... other practical (and sometimes more ruthless examples)

But here's what gets me...
I can also manipulate my own heart. I can prod my emotions, try to get an emotional response from the presence of God so that I feel closer to Him, without actually being close to Him or gaining true knowledge. There are alot of ways we manipulate our own hearts.

I know this sounds extreme. I tend to be a bit black and white. But I really just felt compelled to call things what they are.

So then, if manipulation is witchcraft... lets talk about what that means...
Witchcraft is, in its basest form, calling upon a power, other than God Almighty, to change circumstances. Even the dictionary defines it as "magical influence". A power other than God influences a person or event.

So I was thinking about all of this.... and it occurred to me.... ANY time I call upon or depend upon another power to change me, my relationships, or my circumstances I am in rebellion, which, again, is as unto witchcraft. So in my striving to change myself, to stir up myself, to make myself love the Lord... I am depending upon another source to produce change-- me.

This rocked me. Striving is outright rebellion. In direct opposition to God. It is fear based and is opposite the nature of God. God is love, perfect love casts out ALL fear.

THE REAL PROBLEM is that I am not rooted and grounded in Love. In all of these things, I am not confident in who the Lord is. I don't trust Him to be faithful to my heart. I don't REALLY know Him.

Now hear me, I am not saying we should not try and that we are not co-laborers with Christ.

What I am saying that it is CHRIST in me that is the hope of my glory.

God is eternal. His nature has always been the same. I know this is true in scripture. God has been Himself forever. ETERNALLY. And the Word says that He is faithful to compete that which He began. It also says that He cannot deny Himself, that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Why do I feel as though my weakness comes as a surprise for him?

He knew, before the foundation of the world, that men would be weak. The Word says that the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. The Eternal Son became the man Jesus and conquered for us. Simple.

God is faithful to complete that which He began. He made man for Himself. And He made a way, before we fell, for us to find our way back again.

So then... what should I do to change myself? To make myself better?

There is nothing I can do. Nothing. I cannot change my own heart, I can't even love unless He loves me first. I can't even desire Him unless He anoints me to love.

Looking back into the garden of Eden gives me a clear picture of what I need to do in this relationship.

Tend the garden of my heart..... Try me, see if there is any wicked way in me.
And walk with the Lord in the cool of the evening.

Should I, then, strive to bring about all of the promises He has made me?
No.
He is faithful to bring everything to completion. He has loved me with an everlasting love. His plans are for my hope and future, to prosper me and not to harm me. If I delight myself in Him, He will give me the desires of my heart.

It is only my job to obey, to trust, to give myself to Him in wholehearted abandon...

Sure this comes with a different kind of sacrifice. But it is one that is pleasing.... Cain and Able come to mind. hmmmm.....

I will not strive. I will rest. I will wait. I will LOVE.


let me know what your thoughts are on these things.... I think this is an important revelation, especially for me, right now but I know I could be way off :)

Much love! :)