“WILL YOU GO OUT WITHOUT KNOWING?”

 We find the title of this blog  in today’s (January 2) reading and meditation from “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. The message the Lord seems to have for me this morning as I begin a new year in communion with Him is that of faith and I want to share it with all of you. As another year begins, many will make New Year resolutions. In many ways it implies things that will be done or accomplished, perhaps by one’s own power, planning, conviction, and constancy. No wonder most New Year resolutions are forgotten by the first quarter of the New Year. They are given up on or not accomplished. Can you remember last year’s resolution you may have set in your mind to accomplish?

Following the Daily Lectionary in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, I was led this morning to read about Abraham’s departure from Haran and into Shechem. It was most certainly a journey of faith because God had asked him to embark on it. The second lesson was that wonderful chapter on faith in Hebrews 11, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” And the Gospel reading was about Jesus confronting the people who doubted that He was the Bread of Life, “The one who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

Chambers writes: “Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do – He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you ‘go out’ in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?” Walking in faith implies completely trusting God. Trusting God daily for every step taken and yet to be taken. The reality is that so much of our lives, daily and in the future, is not within our control. Sometimes things will happen that we can neither control nor change. Opportunities will make themselves available that we did not plan for. We need to learn that God is in charge and that we need to trust Him in every respect. This is the true meaning of “surrender” and of walking in faith.

Chambers also writes these words that should make us all pause and reflect: “Then think how unnecessary and disrespectful worry is!” Think about it when you next become depressed, preoccupied, and upset that things have not worked out the way you wanted or planned. Let God be truly your Lord and Guide.

Let’s blog!