Week 5 – Shoulda Coulda Woulda

 

“If we want to experience the full blessing of God’s call upon our lives, we must obey the call as it is without fudging, without compromise to make it fit the visible circumstances.”     Who's got two thumbs and is guilty of watering down God’s direction and call in her life?  This gal!  When Darrell emphasized the words as it is, it hit me.  I know I have internally, subtly, and over time second-guessed, questioned, and delayed God’s direction in my life, “But Lord, this makes no sense.  How is this supposed to happen?  Do you not see my circumstances now?”  Obeying God’s call AS IT IS, in its purist call is the way.  I am, again, reminded that the biggest factor and reality in our lives is God. 

Shoulda coulda woulda…yep, I’ve said a few of those in my life.  “If I would have done ____, then things would have turned out differently.”  Thank you, Abraham, for being a living example of one who has let go of his “shouldas.”  As Darrell mentions, “Faith is also trusting all the mistakes into the mercy of God, and moving on in the journey of grace.”  Amen!

“The quality of the journey is directly related to the clarity of the vision.”   This is SO true!  When I look back on particularly difficult times of my life, I realize that my journey with God was never more intimate, strong, secure, and assured.  It was because my focus was constantly on God - listening intently, staring sharply, praying vigorously.  God was very clear to me during those times, and my journey with Him was so intense and wonderful in spite of the difficult circumstances.  The thing is, I have not wanted that incredibly clarity to exist just in times of crisis.  That clarity of vision can exist during everyday life. It is something that is built up, worked on, developed, and through discipline and focus becomes part of one’s life as though it were a breathing exercise.  In and out.  In and out – a part of who we are.