We can become so narrow-minded sometimes, so unwilling to listen the Father and what He wants to do in our lives. We have an idea of how our life should go, and when it doesn’t go that way we are thrown off, and find ourselves being tossed around in states of confusion, fear, sadness, and possibly even anger.
Receiving God’s will for us with open hands can be difficult, but it is the only way to experience the true freedom and joy He offers us. He will always interrupt our plans, because there is so much to be gained when we are interrupted and our world is shaken. These are the times He uses to shape us, as we become disoriented and disillusioned from the loss of our idea of the perfect life. In that state loss, we can cling to Him for answers and providence. These are in fact the best of times. We become more and more like Jesus as we depend on Him, and less and less like our sinful selves.
After the camp that I worked at last summer, I learned a lot about receiving with open hands- or rather, loosely holding onto everything I think I have a right to; the things I think are mine. Because ultimately, nothing on this earth- even my very own body- is mine. I don’t own anything. It all belongs to God. And when are hands are held loosely, we can let go of the things that are really dragging us down and receive new and good things, all because we are clinging tightly to Him and Him alone.
Once we accept that everything is a good gift from Above, we can face our challenges and interruptions of our plans with an open heart and an open mind, tuning into what God is trying to accomplish through them. Instead of seeing them as obstacles in the road, they become enriching parts of our story- parts of the becoming of who we really are. Everything in this world is fleeting; all that will go on is our souls in His eternity, so why should we reject what He is doing in us now in favor of superficial and short-lived pleasures?
“Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks.” ~1 Timothy 4:4
I want to receive all that He has for me with open hands, an open heart, and an open mind. It may not look the way I expected, because He is full of surprises, but it will always be exactly what I need and what is best for me. When I look back on my life, it is clear that He has used all the things (even the ones that don’t make sense to me) for His glory, and I know He will continue to do so, even if I don’t understand it in the moment. Because I know He is trustworthy, I can have peace in the middle of turmoil and uncertainty.
Know that nothing is wasted- everything in your life does happen for a reason. Cultivate your heart to receive it all with thanksgiving.
rhythms of grace 