Just do your best, and God will handle the rest

So many times I worry. I speculate and formulate the various possible scenarios and respective consequences attached.

My mind tries to 'foresee' whatever that may happen if I do this or do that.

Whether its my service/ministry for God, studies, family, church, relationships, there's just so much we can do.

The rest I'll have to leave it to God.

I remember many months back when I was still attending my guitar lessons at church. After the morning lessons, the students headed out for lunch. And many of them are adults.

Full of wisdom and insight.

At my table was Uncle Albert who is probably in his 50's. A husband and a father with lots of experience in life.

In the midst of the strings of sentences and phrases exchanged, this came out (something like), "What should I do about the important decisions in life?"

His answer?

Do whatever you can do. Whatever you cannot do, let God handle it.

You can't control:

• whether a particular person gives you acceptance or rejects you
• what your employers think of you
• whether some folks will return to church or not
• what other people do with their lives

But all that we can't control, God can.

So, let's leave those to Him.

Because of my brother's extremely poor results, he's banned from the computer on weekdays.

[If I ever see him slacking and wasting his life away on that machine, I'm gonna....nvm]

I knew it.

God tells us that we reap what we sow. My brother sows procrastination, reluctant attitude and lack of fervour in studies. So, he reaps bad grades and the attached consequences.

We prayed for him. Even when the exams drew near. It's true that God can do miracles if He wants to, but never take His omnipotence for granted.

Don't think that just because you prayed extra hard before the exam, God will do a breakthrough in your papers for you, to compensate for your lackluster efforts.

WAKE UP YOUR BLOODY IDEA!!!

As much as God gives, He takes away as well.

No wonder grace is called grace. Something which you don't even deserve.

When I didn't put in sufficient effort or have been slack in performance, I never even dare to ask God to do miracles for me. How dare I? I would rather ask Him to reveal the areas which needs correction and for a thorough circumcision of my heart.

God deserves the best from you. You never please God by wasting your life away.

If you have no purpose for living, you might as well not live.

Stop going through the motions, stop doing things for the sake of doing them. Seek something deeper and more far-stretched. Sometimes, there's more than just what our minds can conceptualise.

Dear Lord,

I know that at this juncture, my schedule's getting more and more packed. Things, events, meetings and all start to full up the empty slots on my timetable.

I ask that You provide me with effective and efficient time and resource management.

Let not the busy-ness take my heart and passion away from serving You.

And also, please help me set aside time to play and practice the Blues and worship songs too.

May I be a good steward of the gifts, talents and resources You placed in my life.

You be glorified in me, Lord.


In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Spiritual Sponges

During quiet time I read about us being like spiritual sponges.

The more we are humble, open and receptive, the more we will be able to absorb, the more teachable we will be. Thus, we are able to receive and get more input.

The Lord also tells us to be a blessing to others.

So what's next?

He will have to squeeze the sponges in order for them to let go of the blessings in them so that others in turn will receive it.

12 Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4

A sponge will not be very useful if it refuses to let go of its contents when squeezed or pressed.

How willing are you to give up and surrender whenever God 'presses or squeezes' you?