Jesus Or A Genie
Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:10We’ve been talking about TRUST lately here at Healing Place Church. Total Trust in a Total God, in fact. One thing that I’ve been hearing a lot in conversations is the theme of the realization that trusting God doesn’t telling God what to do. In fact, something my dad taught me a long time ago is that there’s a big difference between “having faith for” something and “having faith in” God.
Having faith for something – faith for healing, faith for a new job, faith for a miracle – is a lot different than having faith in our Savior and faith in his unfailing love. I told someone the other day that if God had given me everything I’d ever wished for or prayed for, my life would be a mess. I’d have married the first girl I dated (yikes!). I wouldn’t have lived the path I have that has put me where I am now in life. And as imperfect as I am today, my prayers for my own wishes would certainly have netted out to take me further away from what God had in mind for me.
I really think it is a liberating thing to realize that I don’t have to figure out all the answers and tell God what He needs to do for me. I can trust God to do his will. Jesus demonstrated this when He prayed in the garden, “Let this cup pass from me, but nevertheless not what I will but Your will be done.” He expressed His own desire but left the final decision up to His Father.
In yesterday’s online prayer gathering, one of the ladies who prayed included in her prayer this phrase, “We’ll leave the outcome up to You, jesus.” I love the faith that shows. While it is true that He wants to hear our hearts’ desires, and our longings, our wants, and needs, I’m just not smart enough to think I am going to demand that God give me all I want. I’d much rather have Him have His way in my life. He sees a much bigger picture than I do.
This morning I got this in a text from my friend Rico Melancon, and I think it sums this thought up very well:
Because I am righteous, I will see you.
When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.
-Psalm 17:15 NLTWe must understand that God’s purpose in our lives is not to meet our needs but to conform us into the likeness of Jesus. Many people think God is like a genie, always ready to give them exactly what they want. God is not a wish-fulfiller. It is true that God is our Father and Provider, and it’s also true that He desires the best for us.
But God isn’t present in our lives to do things our way. He is present so that we may desire to do things His way.
How’s your trust? Have you put your faith in Jesus, or are you treating God like a genie and demanding he grant you your wishes?
