I know that Social Media can get a bad rap (and in some ways its deserved) but one of the things I enjoy is getting to see and read what my fellow pastors are doing out there. Yesterday I read this short devo from a young pastor that I had the privilege of watching grow up and I believe it is worth a moment or two of your time:
In devotions this morning, I read John's account of the man who'd been sick for 38 years and was hoping for a miracle. Each day he'd wait by the Pool of Bethesda dreaming of a time when an angel of God might come and trouble the water...
Then one day, God does heal him. Not in the way he imagined. But through an encounter with Christ. Later that day, Pharisees scold the man for "working" on the Sabbath. After 38 years of sickness, the man is carrying his bed home and gets scolded for not measuring up to their expectations!? And it hit me:
How do I respond when God works in ways I don't expect? Do I happily accept His work with joy? Or am I more like the Pharisees, upset that He didn't do it the way I thought He should?
God rarely works in ways we expect. Humble people recognize this and quickly adjust their expectations. Carnally-minded people recoil. Which camp am I going to be found it!? -Pastor David Speas
Great question isn’t it? Have you been trying to put God in a box? Have you been trying to treat Him like some sort of a genie-in-a-bottle who will hopefully do what you want Him to? I pray that you simply seek Him today. Just spend some time with Him and trust Him with all the “whys” and “hows.” There is a great peace and joy that comes with merely following His lead, I pray that you do.
-Pastor Todd