Now Unto Him That Is ABLE!

Recently a friend of mine posted a link to this blog post, which contains a well-written letter from a young woman attending a popular Christian college. As she poured out her heart, she laid out what she felt is the basic problem among our nation's Christian youth. While they have been raised in church and with every spiritual advantage, they still (many times secretly) struggle on with sin because they have never learned to have their own personal relationship with God.

 I have to agree with her. (As a matter of fact, I suggest that you take the time out right now to read her letter.) I think that what she said can even be taken one step further: Sometimes as Christians we have a love for God, and we have a desire for a relationship with Him, but for whatever reason we completely lack faith.

This is seemingly the boat I have found my own self in. It could simply stem from my personality and the fear of being a "bother" to people. It could also be partly from hearing over the years that we should not be selfish in our prayers; always asking, asking, asking from God without much else. Whatever it was, I somehow got to the point where I felt like God was a genie, and I could only get those few wishes, so I'd better make my prayers worth while. So many times, I literally prayed, "God, if I can't get  ______, then _____ is what really matters to me and the ones I love."

Really I guess for most of my life, even though I knew somewhere deep down that I matter to God, I just assumed that it was up to me and "fate" (if you will) to resolve things. I mean, who was I to approach the everlasting throne of the Almighty God with my petty little problems? Over the past couple months, I have started to evolve spiritually and I have begun to realize just how much I've been shorting myself. Here I was asking, "Who am I to bother God?" when the real question should be, "Who I am to say God doesn't care and isn't powerful enough to handle these little things?"

My first step was to journal my prayers. It was actually an idea I got from the book, "The Help." I figured as a writer, it might be easier to write down my prayers to God, rather than try to inwardly pray and have to ward off the endless mental distractions. I have to say that it worked pretty good from a focus standpoint. However, I would leave my journal next to my Bible, and if I didn't have it on me, I didn't pray. Finally, I just threw up my hands and did what God told us to do- talk to Him like a friend.

One day I was looking for my gold earrings, and I couldn't find them anywhere. I began to think that maybe I had thrown them away before I replaced the missing backs. While I was searching, I realized that I had seemingly lost another pair of expensive earrings, which were in this case, irreplaceable. I wanted to badly to cry, and I threw up a weak pray to God to help me find those earrings. I had so little faith that they would ever be found- God isn't likely going to make them magically move from the trash dump to my jewelry box. I doubted and sulked, but still I prayed.

Just a few days later, I was at my parents' house going through a box of my old things. I pulled out a tiny Avon jewelry box, and inside was a collection of cheap earrings. Mixed in with the worthless things, low and behold! Both sets of missing earrings there there!!! I was ecstatic, and nearly jumping up and down in my amazement and joy. I even found a pair of my great-grandmother's earrings, that up until that moment I had forgotten about. So, it turns out that I merely imagined them in my jewelry box at home- they have been sitting at my parents house for the past four years.

It's a silly thing, I know that. I think it does go to teach a valuable lesson though. Not only is God all-powerful, not only does God care... God has a mighty big sense of humor to.

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Luke 12:6-8 (KJV) 

 6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

 7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 8Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV) 

 16Rejoice evermore.

 17Pray without ceasing.

 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Philippians 4:4 (KJV) 

 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice 

Ephesians 6:17-19 (KJV)  

 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

Psalm 50:10 (KJV)  

 10For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Titus 3:7 (KJV) 

 7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)  

 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)  

 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,