December 6

Don’t you wish you could control God? What I mean is that you would be able to do or be or whatever, so God would do whatever. Most of you are saying no, you don’t want to control God, but I would challenge you to think about it for a minute. Sometimes, in our desire to be in the thick presence of God we want to know the how. In other words, we want it at the time when we want it and we want to know how to get it. That doesn’t seem like I want to control, but that is exactly what I am asking for. What button do I have to push to have the manifest presence of God come out? I am talking about worship and His presence, but you could apply this to many areas of our lives.

I think there is a fine line and we have to be careful not to cross it. The fine line is that place between acting in accordance with what we know to be true and trusting God will do His part, that He will keep His Word, and formulizing a life that will bring a result from God. The difference really is heart. In worship, He WILL be enthroned, however, we can’t control how it will “feel” or what that will look like. I don’t mean that feeling is the desired result, but sensing the presence of God is one of the ways we enjoy Him. In heaven we will feel (in our hearts and spirits), and sense (with all of our senses) His presence, (and who doesn’t want that as a part of their heavenly experience!) and I just want to experience Him here on earth as well – feel me? So what do I have to do or be or whatever?

First I have to determine NOT to try to control Him and just live for Him as He has created me to BE. Secondly, when I pray or worship Him, I do it for HIM and not ME. However, I know that I will have a benefit, but I will leave that benefit up to Him. If I feel it, great, if I cry or laugh or become a shouting fool, wonderful. If I just spend time with Him and don’t feel much of anything except satisfied, great. One thing I do believe, is what God Himself said:

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV84) — 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.