It’s A Given
I love how God will give me a message and then follow up with an opportunity to put it into practice. The lesson He gave me on answered prayers was perfectly timed and gave me an even deeper understanding of His word.
Mitch is scheduled to leave for a training in Denver in a few weeks. He hasn’t flown in 20 years and this time he will be traveling by himself. His work took care of the travel arrangements so I feel disconnected, a little panicked and should anything go wrong, I want to be available to help him.
He called me the night before his flight to talk about a few things and said he was excited and a little nervous. New place, new experience – a new adventure. The Travel Agent in me walked him through each step and I felt such pride in him for being the man he is. I was also blessed to talk with him as his mom and tell him how much I loved him.
After our call I prayed for him and the first words out of my mouth were for his protection. Instantly the words, “protection from what?” came to mind. Of course I wanted him to be safe and healthy, I want that for him everyday, but what else?
I was reminded of Matthew 6:31-34 – “do not worry…the Lord knows what you need.” Those two things, safety and health are not mentioned and in my mind it’s because they are a given – basics, of course we want them. I believe He wants me to be more specific, to really think about what I am asking of Him.
“But seek first His kingdom,” what about this trip would further God’s Kingdom? What is God’s Kingdom? “The Kingdom of God is a spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God’s authority.” (Got Questions?.org)
What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God? “We are to seek the things of God as a priority over the things of the world.” (Got questions?.org) “If we are taking care of God’s business as a priority – seeking His salvation, living in obedience to Him and sharing the good news of the kingdom with others, then He will take care of our business as He promised and if that’s the arrangement, where is worrying?” “His idea of what we need is often different from ours and His timing will occasionally meet our expectations.” (Got Questions?.org)
After researching what the Kingdom of God meant, my question then needed an answer. What about his trip would further the Kingdom of God? What would God want to come out of this trip? His priority?
My answer:
- His family – Prayers that they would find an new love, appreciation and respect for each other. It’s easy to take each other for granted and time apart like this can help you refocus on what you love about each other.
2. Friends – that he will meet new people and hopefully some lifelong friendships will come out of their time at school with each other.
3. Trusting God – I told Mitch I would be praying for him and his family everyday. I pray he will sense God with him every moment in this adventure, that he will trust Him for guidance and know that God is watching over him. That He created this learning opportunity for him and gifted him in the area of mechanics to support his family and help others.
4. Learning – Open his mind to learn all he can and succeed in this program. Thank you for the joy he finds in his work.
Well that original prayer of “protect him” just took on a new meaning and it helped me to trust God more. Trust that He will take care of “the given” things and know He has a greater purpose for this trip than Mitch or I can imagine!
My prayer
Father, thank you for the opportunity to be a mother, to love my sons and be blessed with such amazing men. They are Your sons too and I know that You love them more than I can imagine and that You have gifted them with talents and skills that will serve the purposes that you created them for. Help me to trust in Your ways and not on my own understanding. You are a good Father and You are forever watching over our boys. Amen
Where does my help come from?
Matthew 6: 31-34
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.”