How often do you get in God's way?

At times I try to "fix" someone or "correct" a situation. Something isn't exactly as it should be, so I jump in to take care of it. No prayer first. No seeking the counsel of others. Just "Chuck to the rescue!" Even with the best of intentions, everything becomes worse. Ever happen to you?

God speaks to our heart. He whispers, Follow me. Yet we don't pay attention. We plan, we plot, we move forward. We shout, "Hear I am. Send Me!" as we race into the fray, never pausing to hear whether He has actually sent us. Following God is impossible when we're running ahead of Him.

We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). But something gets lost in translation. Essential to loving God is seeking Him. Loving and seeking are inseparable. God made this clear: I love those who love me,and those who seek me find me. (Proverbs 8:17)

We cannot love God if we fail to seek Him. That makes sense, doesn't it? Seeking God involves searching for Him, knowing who He is, understanding what He requires, and applying His wisdom in our lives. Seeking God has intensity and commitment, and the result isn't simply more knowledge, but success.  WE  FIND  GOD!!!  A strong, lasting relationship is the reward.

We know that loving God requires seeking Him; and seeking Him results in finding Him; and finding Him leads to applying His wisdom. So why do we try to take charge, ignoring what HE may want? The answer lies in two of the most difficult words for us to obey---Be still.

When Pharaoh chased the Israelites, Moses told them, The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exodus 14:14). As evil men tried to destroy King David, he remembered, Be still before the Lord  and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7). And today when trouble and fears surround you, what is your instruction? Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).

Be still. Listen. Don't run ahead. When we try to fix or correct without His specific direction, the attention turns to us, not God. We run the risk of being seen as saviors. We steal His glory. And our message to the world is: God is impotent---He can't do this on His own---He needs me.

Those claiming to be Christian killed Native Americans in the United States. Those claiming to be Protestant and Catholic killed each other in Northern Ireland. Those claiming to be Hindu killed Buddhists in India. Those claiming to be Muslim killed anyone, even their own, throughout the world. The message of all is the same---We must take matters into our own hands because our god can't.

I believe one special truth-there is one and only one God. I seek and find Him. I love and follow Him. My life is defined by Him. He provides the way for me to be His witness in this world. That witness is to show others the One who loves and cares for them, who desires that all come to Him, and who provides the opportunity for them to do just that.