A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

His Way...Mine!

Volume XVI, Issue 23

June 6, 2016

Will you love me if I don't give you money? If God asks you this, how do you respond? Does it depend on why you need the money or how desperate the situation?

Many would be angry. After all, Jesus said, I will do whatever you ask in my name.¹ Right? We just add "in Jesus name" at the end and we're home free. Or maybe there's more to it.

Growing up I always wanted to go to camp. Kids excitedly talked of the fun they would have. Swimming and camping and s'mores. Oh my. They'd go off to exotic locations...the mountains, some lake, or the beach...then return with grand tales of adventure. "Please God, let me go!"

Our first church was large and had these glorious camps for everyone 12 and older. For years I wasn't old enough and stayed behind. Then I turned 11 and the next summer my long wait would be over. But before I got the chance, my family moved.

New town. New church. New rules. Oh, they had camps...but only for those 15 and older. I couldn't believe it. "God, did you not hear me? I've been praying and asking but you're not keeping your end of the bargain." (I probably didn't say it quite like that, but I'm sure that's what I meant.)

I would calm down and, not so patiently, await my turn...again. Alas, it was not to be. Just before my 15^th birthday, my family moved once more. "Oh, come on. God! Hellooo. Are you even listening?"

I grew older and my dream of going to camp faded away. In time, I graduated from high school, college, and finally law school. Then I began my career and later started my own practice.

Something else had changed. There were more important things to pray about. A wonderful marriage. Beautiful children. A demanding business with employees and clients who depended on me.

And I'd found a new church home, filled with loving, encouraging people. They helped me increase my faith and draw closer to God. That's when I realized that prayer is not simply "ask and get".

Sure, Jesus said He would do what we ask in His name, but there's a lot to that in His name part. We remember this one verse, but forget the many that go before...those calling us to:

Forgive. Don't judge. Focus on your own sin. Don't cling to this world. Set your sight on what is good, not bad. Serve God, not money. Don't focus on your life or food or clothes. Don't worry about tomorrow. Seek God every day. Never throw away what God has said is sacred.²

A line pf people looking out over the water to a darkening sunset

In His name is not about ending a prayer, but being in the proper position before God and aligning our will with His. We may cry out for what we want, but everything must be second to God's will. We are called to be like our Heavenly Father...following Him closely, for He is perfect³.

And as we walk with God, He will often surprise us.

One day a minister friend asked if I could help lead in something I'd never done before. It took about a week and at the end, I was given a nice, little gift. A smooth river stone, with words painted across the top: His Way...Mine! Youth Camp 1986.

Take care & be God's,

Chuck

¹ John 14:13a

² See Matthew 6:14-7:6

³ See Matthew 5:48

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