As I went through my day, it felt like I was walking through a minefield. At every turn, a mini bomb exploded. Initially, I thought the worst had to be over. I believed that the tense morning moments would be the worst the day had to offer. I was wrong. The more hours that passed, the larger the explosions. Finally, I decided to consult God.
“What are You trying to tell me?” I asked. “Why is all of this happening today?”
(photo by Sirsalis Photography via Flickr.com)
My most challenging students were displaying their most mischievous behavior. The principal assigned a monstrous task to me that had to be completed within two days. Fellow teachers were asking for professional consults (I am an instructional coach) one right after the other. I felt overwhelmed and underqualified.
I began my interrogation again. “Lord, how am I going to get all of this done?”
Walking swiftly down the hall so that I would not be tardy to my next appointment, I made mental lists of what tasks needed to be a priority and what tasks could wait. I felt myself becoming more and more anxious and feeling less and less capable of handling all the tasks at hand. Silently, I prayed…
“Lord, I cannot do this on my own. Help me to do what You want done, how You want it done, and when You want it done. I am here in this school so You can work through me for Your purposes, not mine.”
That simple prayer relieved so much stress and tension from my mind, body, and spirit. I was able to finish the day confident that all would be well because I wasn’t in control. He was.
As long as we believe that our lives are about us, they’ll never be as fulfilling as we think they ought to be or as fulfilling as God intended for them to be. Deep down there is a void that we instinctively know can be filled with light and peace. It seems to take us such a long time to realize that we cannot fill this void. We have to allow it to be filled by the Holy Spirit. And only then can we live our lives as God intended.
By Toiya Paige, Doing.Life.Differently
Leave a Comment
Donna says
Thank you, you’re insightful to pray those words. I need to learn to give more of my events to the Lord. Love <3
Lori says
Oh, I sooooo needed this today! God is good; thank you for sharing!
Lisa says
When we seek Him in earnest prayer He will deliver. What a wonderful testimony!
Toiya Paige says
Ladies,
Thank you for your kind comments. Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon. It really changes things!
Jennifer says
“As long as we believe that our lives are about us, they’ll never be as fulfilling as we think they ought to be or as fulfilling as God intended for them to be.” Amen! I’m learning this slowly but surely. Great post!
Beth Williams says
Toiya,
I can completely understand where you are coming from. As I go to & through my work place almost daily, it feels like I’m was walking through a minefield. Don’t know if it is me–my attitude about how work has completely changed & I’m doing a totally different job than what I was hired to do. When it happens–I try to immediately say a prayer & ask forgiveness.
“Lord, I cannot do this on my own. Help me to do what You want done, how You want it done, and when You want it done. I am here in this (university clinic) so You can work through me for Your purposes, not mine.” –Love this prayer!
Perhaps God will one day show us His purposes for what he’s putting us through right now. We need to learn to bloom where He has planted us and be good Christians!
Kathy says
Such a wonderful message from your devotional. I know the only way to find purpose and peace is to pray for God’s guidance. His life within my spirit will grow and bring transformation in my life that I might exhibit the life of Christ. Through all the negativity in this world, we are pruned,and experience the dying to self that makes us vessals the Lord can use to advance His Kingdom. My prayers must be continuous and impact all areas of my life. Praying will bring us into light to be used by our Lord.
dawn says
thank you so much for sharing this – it totally resonated with my day today. so simple, but often hard to remember when caught in the moment. i need to remember things in a kingdom perspective daily…hourly…minute by minute!
Amy @ themessymiddle says
Yes, yes, yes! We are on similar wave length’s as I wrote about “Submitting to the process is hard.” (http://wp.me/p1Ut5W-dP). Thanks for adding to my thinking!
Elizabeth says
This is wonderful. Oh, the photograph is just amazing. And your words are ecouragement. A wonderful way to end this day. I am grateful you shared this. Thanks again. I will look for more of your posts. Blessings
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