Okay God, You've God my attention...now what?

Okay God, You have my attention. Now What?

Have you ever found yourself saying something to that affect? I know I have many times. We are routinely living our lives when all of a sudden a “bomb” goes off and, we have a ton more questions than answers about our life, our future, and even our God. It’s a different tragedy for all of us: you, or one of your loved ones was diagnosed with a terminal illness; your once profitable business seems to be more in the red than black; you just moved to a new area leaving behind your closest friends and all that is familiar; or your marriage is going down a road seems to be heading toward divorce. Does one of those situations sound familiar?

How we respond to such personal tribulations says a lot about whom we are and the direction of our life. If we choose to bury our head in the sand and just hope that everything will work out in the end, I guarantee we will not be happy with the results. I know when I’ve decided to go down that road in the past it leads to disillusionment and discouragement. I believe that there is a better way; one that will lead to peace and hope no matter what the misfortune.

The better way begins with an understanding that you and I are not the center of the world, but it is God. Most of us tend to see, or at least treat, God as an all-powerful cosmic butler. He is there to assist me, in order to make my life a whole lot easier. Tell me if you’ve ever found yourself saying this: “Hey God, I need a really close parking spot; It’s cold outside.” If our prayers to God are nothing more than trivial, selfish wants, then God is nothing more than a slot machine. A few prayers in the slot, pull the lever, and bingo, I’ve got my blessing.

The problem with treating God in that manner is that God never intends to play second fiddle to our dreams and expectations. He wants to be the object of our worship; the sole focus of our existence. God cannot be negotiated with. “Okay God, you can have my Sundays and Wednesdays, but I get the rest of the week.” God has a plan and it is not negotiable. Over and over in the pages we find that God does rescue people and help mankind with their problems, but He always says that He’s doing to show His glory.

If you’ve ever read the story of Job in the Bible, you might get a picture of what I’m talking about. Here is a guy who is the Bill Gates of the 21st century B.C., and in a matter of a few days loses his wealth, his health, and his family…everything gone. Things are so bad, his wife tells him to curse God and die, but how does Job respond. Here’s what he says, “I came into this world with nothing, and I will leave this world with nothing. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” And the next verse says that Job worshipped God. Wow. Do you think Job understood that life is all about God and not him?

Please don’t think I’m trying to say that going through trials and tribulations is easy. In fact it’s hard, very hard. But we must have faith in something bigger than ourselves. We must have faith in a God who according to Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are called according to His purpose. When we start seeing that God has a purpose and plan that are so much greater than ours, then we need to ask ourselves if we are living by His purpose and plan.

If God’s got your attention right now, choose faith. Choose hope. Allow God to write the story for your life He wants.