Move and Make Room

Have you ever asked God for something, or to do something for you? Have you ever asked and felt like He isn’t listening? If your answer is no, then you are doing life at level 100, and I’m gonna need some pointers from ya! While I don’t have it all figured out, or all together, I have figured at least one thing out about doing this life in the presence of God. 

It came to me some years back while going through a season of doubt and fear. A season of me not knowing who I was anymore. It was a season of self doubt, struggling with who I was in the world and in Christ. Was I doing all I was supposed to be doing? Was I living up to the expectations God had for me? Did I even have a purpose? If I am asking all of these questions, was I even worthy to be praying to a God I only seemingly half served? I was reminded of a verse in 1 John 4:4 The one who is in you is greater that he who is in the world. This verse is all about living fearlessly for the Lord. This spoke to me. This got me fired up! I was like yes, yes Lord! I’m gonna live fearlessly for you! That was all good, and wonderful and I hyped myself up and then fell flat. Well, how I was I supposed to do that? I still didn’t know where I stood exactly. After reading, studying, praying, and being really honest with myself and God, I realized I was in the way. I had to get out of MY OWN way. I needed to make room for God to work. How was I going to receive any of the blessings God had for me if I was in the way? What I mean by that is; I was asking, and praying for help with these struggles, but refusing to give up control. We have to pour ourselves out to the Lord before he can pour into us. I was giving it all to Him, but taking it all back from Him before He had a chance to do anything with it. If you think about it, we don’t give gifts to people and then ask for them back, right? Well, our burdens, our sorrows, our worries, and fears are like gifts to God. He wants them! He wants them so he has room to grow you, in you, and through you. He wants to take all of our failures and downfalls and use them to make something great out of us. We were all created with a purpose. We just have to make the room for him to work. We have to be bold and move in faith. We have to trust that He will complete the good work he has begun in us. We cannot move forward into a wholesome relationship with the Lord with one foot in the world, and one foot in the word. We have to move! Move our feet, and step into the goodness of God’s glory. Jump if you have to! Jump in with both feet. Dive in head first. Either way, just move!

I have realized over the years that the more I surrender myself, the closer I get to God. It just feels like the more I let go of from this world, the more I absorb of God’s word. I know first-hand how hard it is to be vulnerable. It’s scary, intimidating, and uncomfortable. I can tell you that all of those emotions are worth it. There is a peace that washes over you when you lay everything down at His feet. There is freedom that moves through you and fills the air you breathe when you trust in the Lord with all of your heart. There is a love unending and undeniable when you relinquish control, and give it to the ONE who is really in control. There is unspeakable joy that consumes your mind, body and soul when you surrender to the one who made you. The blessings will abound and His goodness will flow out from you.

Romans 12:1-2 NIV  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2Thessalonians 3:5 NIV May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Isaiah 48:17 NIV This is what the Lord says- your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “ I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you int way you should go.

Psalm 119:35 NIV Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

Psalm 119:133 NIV Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

Philippians 1:6 NIV being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.

Written by Ryan Treadwell