Circumstances and Excuses
“I was never an impatient person—until I had these twins!”
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: We’re all tempted to think that we’re the way we are because of the situation we’re in. We feel that if our circumstances were different, we would be different: more patient, more loving, easier to live with.
If our circumstances make us what we are, then we’re all victims. We aren’t responsible. We can’t help the way we are.
But here’s the truth Our circumstances don’t make us what we are. They just reveal what we are. The exasperated mother had always been an impatient person. She just didn’t realize it until God brought new circumstances into her life. He wanted to show her what she was really like so He could change her.
The circumstances of life can be really hard, but they’re no excuse for sin. Ask God to show you what you’re really like, so He can change you.
With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
Wow! How many ways can I say "ouch!" I read this devotional just after putting my breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. . .and once again encountering ANTS! Ants, merrily walking through the boric acid I placed in said dishwasher, which was supposed to help them die and help the others in their colony to die. . .
I prayed, "Lord, I know that ants are self-starters, persevering, not lazy, etc.; but they are also annoying, intrusive, interrupting and yucky!"
And back to Nancy's insight: I don't like the interruption that ants bring. I don't like that they didn't ask my permission, or consider whether or not I wanted to deal with ants at that time.
Hmmmm. . .how does that correspond with being a bondslave? How does that jive with God's sovereignty (even over ants, God help me) and accepting His appointments for my day (which is really His day, not mine and He can do with it what He wishes to do).
So, time to repent for being selfish with "my" time (which isn't really mine, and I keep typing that because I need the reminder).
Have I adopted a "live and let live" attitude toward the odorous house ant? Absolutely not! I still ran the dishwasher on hot cycle, sani-rinse, and heat dry. However, the accompanying frustration and rage boiling must stop. I can calmly continue to irradicate the pests, but acknowledge and accept that this is God's appointment for His day, and I can do this for His glory and His purposes.
Thank you, precious Father, for loving me enough to show me where I resist Your "interruptions." Help me to relinquish "my" days to You, and believe to the core that each day is a gift from You, and not mine to own or possess selfishly. Give me a grateful, generous heart that seeks only to please You. I so want all that I am, and all that You have given me, to be a display of Your glory and grace in this world. I love You so much!
P.S. While you are at the Seeking Him website, prayerfully consider joining Nancy and me and a host of others as we journey through "Seeking Him" beginning September 10. It's a 12-week journey on personal revival that has truly changed the way I pray, the way I look at life, and the way I interact with others. If you say, "yes, Bev, but we did that 2 years ago. . ." this will be my 3rd time at least, and I'm excited to see what God will show me that I can change, remove and rebuild to be a cleaner, more effective vessel for His glory. I plan to have at least a weekly "let's talk about this" space, either on this blog or linked to it. We will be "virtual and online" but I think it will be great! Be sure to order the book in August, so you will be ready to go in September. I sure do appreciate y'all!
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