A couple months ago, our agriculture exemption was in jeopardy because we didn’t have cows in the time frame that the state regulations require. At the time, cows were at an all time high buying cost so it was impossible for us to scrounge up money and get the 4 required cows for our acreage. We went nuts searching for some way to keep our exemption other than cows. We looked into planting stuff, a wildlife reserve and even a butterfly exhibit (no kidding…LOL). We exhausted every solution trying to find a way around not having cows. During this problem, my husband’s dad called and expressed he had too many cows for his land and needed a place to put them. He wondered if he could let us “borrow” them for an indefinite time. God has such an amazing way of working things out at the perfect time. We have cows, our land is ag exempt and we love the partnership that has developed with my father-in-law.
Part of human nature is to get into messy situations, whether it be on purpose or by accident, we just can’t help it. It is an immense privilege as children of God that when we get in these messes, we can cry out to Him for help. It might be sickness, financial troubles, family troubles, or anything that causes anxiety in your life that pushes us to crying out but we always have God as our security to help us. People who don’t know God lean on their own abilities and try everything in their power to fix things and usually hit a dead end with no one to lean on. I can’t even imagine the agony they must go through trying to shoulder all the heavy burdens.
In Psalm 120, the Jewish families marched their relatives and most precious belongings into the highest hills to get their sins wiped clean by the Most Holy God (this was pre-Jesus when they offered sacrifices and had to go to the Holy Temple to get cleaned up). On their way up, they sang songs and taught their children every song and everything they knew about God. The first song (120) they’re crying out to God asking for help and peace (read Peace Out). In Psalm 121, they sing about God answering their cry for help, protecting them and watching over them. They know God is their security and will never let them down.
As a mathematician, I’m inclined to find a solution to every problem. There are some problems in life that no matter what I do, there are no solutions. I literally cannot compute this; my mind can’t comprehend there not being an answer. It bothers me and makes me go crazy searching for some answer that makes sense.
God is offering us a life where we don’t have to find the solution. He wants us to live a life with problems we don’t know how to fix - a life we don’t have to waster our energy trying to control. He wants us to realize we can live knowing He fixes everything. He wants us to know deep in our hearts he can solve all our problems and will on His time schedule - a time schedule that is best for Him and you. He will protect you, guard you, provide for you, and deliver you.
Matthew 6:24-34 says:
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.Do Not Worry25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendorwas dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The solution to your problem or the conclusion to your short story may look different than what you pictured but it is the solution He wants for you. We’ve got to stop picturing and expecting how it SHOULD happen in our minds and live in his presence by finding enjoyment from watching it unfold the way He intended. Our attitude in the midst of a storm can change our entire outlook - it can go from being dark and scary and full of anxiety to wondrous, beautiful and awe inspiring. Please seek God in the midst of your storm and go forward with the knowledge that you are the child of a King - THE King - and He will take care of you.
Love this post. :)
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