This past Sunday in church we were each given three playing cards. Coming from a baptist background, my pastor, grandfather would be quite disturbed by the fact that we had playing cards let alone drums and guitars in church. But that is a whole other story. We were to assign each card something we value most in our life; family, job, security, etc. Once we had done that, we were asked to give them over to Jesus. Giving him total control and trusting him for the plans of each of these things we hold so dear. During an extended time of worship and prayer, when we had given these things over to Jesus we were to lay them face up on the floor in front of us. I have been a Christ follower since I was 12 years old and grew up in a Christan family believing that I was able to give it "all" over, but I have to be honest with you I was unable to lay these cards down. I want to be able to trust Christ for everything, and there have been times when I think I have come close, but as soon as I would lay it down, minutes later I would pick them up again. Daily, if not hourly, I have to force myself to allow Christ to have control in areas of my life that I want him to and areas where I struggle to give up that control. Needless to say, I still have my cards and have not yet laid them down. The desire to trust fully is there it's just the lack of control that I have trouble with.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4
I do believe this, its the application that I can't seem to manage. Have a great day and "trust" in the Rock eternal.
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Love your honesty!
Posted by: Hope Howe | September 20, 2011 at 08:34 AM
Oh My Dear Judy - I admire your honesty - I'll have to admit I hold almost a WHOLE deck of cards that it is hard to lay down. God's never ending love,mercy,grace and patience is amazing!!!!! He'll stick with us until we give it ALL over to Him! You are way ahead of me!!! Luv Mom
Posted by: Peggy Bergfalk | September 20, 2011 at 12:51 PM
Wow that is powerful. I have been blessed to go to Bible College this year and one of the things we have been learning is about the covenant relationship we have with God. It is amazing to learn exactly what covenant means. This assignment you have with the cards is a good example of that covenant. A kind of visual question of "Do you believe in the covenant God has made with you?" type of visual question. We are reading this amazing book for the blood covenant class that you might like to read. Called "The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread." http://www.christianbook.com/miracle-scarlet-thread-revealing-genesis-revelation/richard-booker/9780768426465/pd/426465?product_redirect=1&Ntt=426465&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP It is a real eye opener. Blessings, Sue
Posted by: Sue | September 26, 2011 at 07:36 AM
What a hard lesson to learn.. My youngest got into some trouble and that is when I learned the lesson. I gave him to Jesus and it's all been okay since then. Not the outcome I would envision,but we are all the better for His ultimate decisions and answers. Bless you for sharing your soul.. xo marlis
Posted by: marlis | October 11, 2011 at 08:46 AM