Handle Your Business

I woke up early today, meditated and left home at first light to drop off a key for a property we're trying to sell. My sons' schools have been delayed all week because of the snow. My youngest has been out of school for two weeks, and has become quite proficient on thomasandfriends.com. I've enjoyed the break, but I'll be glad to get back to the normal routine.

At my church the theme for Lent is, '40 Days of Healing'. The congregation is in a season of transition. Plans for a new sanctuary have stalled due to the economy, and we're worshipping in a temporary location. Individually many are feeling the effects of the economy. Financial pressures have place added strain on many marriages and families. I'd be lying if I denied the impact that challenging times have had even in my own household. But we know that God blesses struggle. It's in vogue to come off so hyperspiritual that the realities of the world we have to live in have no impact on the life of a 'true' beliver. A 'King's Kid' should have everything fall into her lap with a shout and a dance. A product of the biblically unsustainable prosperity 'theology'. All i have to say to that is, 'Get real!' Even if you're not being impacted personally, where's your sense of compassion for those who are going through?

Anyway, the theme is '40 Days of Healing.' We're studying the book Life's Healing Choices by John Baker. Truly there is a need for healing in the Body. I certainly see the need in my life. As I go through the daily devotions, there's a theme of 'we are powerless over our lives'. It leads me to think about the balance between the call to submission and the call to personal agency. In other words, God wants us to surrender and rely on Him, but God also wants us to handle our business! Even while we look to God to meet our every need, we also ask for strength to be productive, to His ultimate glory.

That said, if you're seeking healing, deliverance, growth, etc, you have to be an active participant in the process. What's going on in your inner being that YOU need to address? How do you respond to God's invitation to be a co-laborer as you 'work out your soul salvation...'? Self reliance can be (and often is) taken to an ungodly extreme, but you've still got to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty if you want God to work a change in your life. Pray for discernment to know what is your responsibility, and what is God's.