Edna woke up and got ready for work, just as she does every day. She made her regular stop to grab a cup of coffee, but for some reason the drive-thru was extraordinarily long. She didn’t want to be late for work and decided she’d make out better by going inside to purchase her coffee. This would be a simple decision for most people, but Edna avoided placing herself in certain circumstances. She was very insecure about her smile and certain parts of her body. Most people considered her to be an attractive woman in her 50s, but she didn’t see herself this way. Not ever being married or even coming close to it had done a number on her self-esteem. She thought she might not ever meet someone who would appreciate her just as she was.
Edna had been praying for God to bless her with a man that would see her and not her imperfect smile and large hips. We all know what it feels like when we want something so bad, we’d do just about anything to get it. You may stay on your knees all night and pray all day just to see a certain thing come to pass in your life. The truth of the matter is that every day presents us with an opportunity to do something different than the day before. Lamentations 3:23 tells us that God’s mercies are new every morning. This means we need to make sure our fellowship with Him is flourishing, so we can know and respond to what He’s up to in our lives.
1 Corinthians 15:58 The Message (MSG) says, “With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” Our Heavenly Father never changes, but we do. God tells us that we should be always growing and going higher in Christ. Because of the race we’re in down here on earth, this makes change a constant dynamic in the life of a believer.
When Edna was in her late 30s, she became so desponded about not being married that she closed off parts of herself from everyone. She hardly ever switched up her routine and didn’t go places outside of those common to her. She wasn’t renewed in the spirit of her mind about the blessings of God or her responsibility to walk in His love. Instead, she became pessimistic about her existence. This is never helpful. It closes doors to the very opportunities we need to see.
Colossians 3:12 (NLT) tells us, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Our God is brilliant! There’s a purpose and reason for everything that He tells us to do. We don’t always understand the transformation that believing His Word ignites, but things change for us when we are firmly committed to living for God through the Lord Jesus Christ. It took a while, but Edna humbled herself and begin to pray to receive only what God wanted for her. Pleasing Him became her primary motivation.
Her day had started out like any other, but as Edna stood in line at her favorite coffee spot, the next gentleman in front of her asked if she wanted to go ahead of him; he was waiting on his order to be corrected. She obliged, and they began a conversation that led to an exchange of numbers. He phoned later that evening and they talked over an hour.
God knows the doors that need to be open in our hearts so that we begin to attract the blessings we desire most and draw ourselves closer to them. He’s not in heaven moving us around like puppets. He created the universe in such a way that it responds favorably to our faith in Him. When we humble ourselves and take even the smallest step to put Jesus Christ in the driver’s seat of our lives, his light will guide us. He will make sure that we’re in the right place at the right time to receive what He has for us.
Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Want What God Has for You!” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2019. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.