Monday, September 28, 2009

Stepping Stones: Are You Afraid to Fall?

Transformational Tip
As a young boy I spent many afternoons at the local roller-skating rink. My father was a great skater. When he skated, everyone stopped to watch. I worked hard to try and get as good as my dad. Upon returning from the rink one day my dad asked me how many times I fell that day. I was proud to tell him that I didn’t fall once. He then told me that I must not have learned anything new that day; “If you are not falling…you are not learning.”
True dependence is not simply asking God to bless what you have decided to do. It means coming to him with an open mind and heart, inviting Him to plant His desires and will within you. The only way to achieve a victorious life is by living in deep dependence on Him. Stretching ourselves and depending on Him is scary at times, but also so freeing when we see His hand at work, guiding and helping us. For God to grow us, you need to reflect and evaluate what happened so the “falls” or mistakes can be learned from so He can show us new things and grow us.
We wrongly associate victory with success, by not falling and stumbling…by not making mistakes. It is only through problems and failure, weakness and neediness that we learn to rely on Him. Today, look at a recent failure or mistake and tell someone who knows you. Ask them what God might have been showing you through that experience. Click here to share your perspective with other readers on the power of true dependence on Him or what you have learned through your mistakes.

Prayer
Dear Father,
I come to you with open hands and an open heart. I pray Lord that You will infuse within me a dream that appears to be far beyond my reach. I will know Father that it will be impossible by myself to achieve this dream…and this will begin my total reliance on You. I know Father the path You have created for me is not a path of continued success, rather a path of multiple failures. I have faith, Father, that each failure will be followed by a spiritual growth spurt, nourished by my increased reliance on You. Help me Father, enjoy the blessedness of a victorious life through deepening my dependence on You. I pray in Jesus’ all providing name, and all God’s people said, – AMEN!

The Truth
We live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
…I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2

1 comment:

Scott said...

"trusting and depending on Him can be scary at times" This is the "theme" of my life right now. I have learned to HATE the analogy of trust being like sitting in a chair - knowing it will hold you up... It feels more like stepping off a cliff and not knowing if the chute will open. I recently came to grips with the fact that I was not just spoiled as a child - but I was taught early on to manipulate. I was NEVER pushed to do something out of my comfort zone - if I was - I cried - my tired - depressed parents just gave in... Currently I have very little desire to trust - very little desire to get out of the world I have controlled for 40 years - but God is calling me out - an it is scary. I want to say it is exciting - nope - I am living in fear - like God is going to ruin my life... and truthfully that is an option so that I am forced to either follow Him or get out of the game... I don't want to be lukewarm anymore - living in passivity and uselessness to the one who saved me... but I really don't want my secrets to be uncovered...

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