God is still in control….not you (even when the wrong things get posted...twice!!)

 

Fasting update- I tried it for 9 days skipping any food after lunch, nothing until breakfast the next morning and not eating extra at breakfast and lunch.  I didn’t make extra time for God but I maintained my normal time of prayer & study.  Many of the things I’ve read talk about an increased realization of God’s presence in your life when you fast.  They also encourage you to take extra time for prayer and Bible study.  There are many different types of fasting.  Even with the limited type I did both in duration and amount and without making additional time for worship, I had an amazing time spiritually and look forward to doing it again in a few weeks.  I challenge you to try it.

 

I was talking with my brother about the fasting and heightened spiritual awareness as well as spiritual growth in general over the last few months.  He said to not be surprised if the enemy throws junk my way.  Sure enough: dumb fights with my wife, misunderstandings among my kids and with me, stupid things going wrong with cars, the water heater and the air conditioner at home, frustrating things at work.  A fellow believer at work was frustrated the other day.  It would have been so easy to join in and add some negative comments.  Instead I felt convicted to bite my tongue.  Suddenly the words to encourage him to look to our Father for comfort and guidance were coming out of my mouth.  It surprised me.  I told him that although things at work may really be aggravating and seem out of control at times, our Father God is still Sovereign and in control.  My friend appreciated that and it sure changed the mood of our discussion- just sort of snuffed out the bickering.  The very next day when the a/c at my house had problems and I was anticipating a bill in the hundreds, the words I told my friend came right back at me. Ouch.  Our Father God is still Sovereign and in control.  But this is my a/c unit and it is July in Texas and it is finally getting hot.  God is still in control.  But….  God is God.  God is love.  God is Almighty.  God is not surprised or taken off guard by your dumb air conditioner.  It will be okay, period.  Trust.  I hate those issues of trust that involve things like the house or the car and money.  God, let’s just work on relationships – they are messy but at least I can kind of feel in control.  I hate those other issues- I feel so totally helpless. 

 

Well duh.  Is that not where God wants us?  Dependent upon Him alone.  What a loving and caring God that knows us so well that He constructs the perfect “plan” to make me depend on Him!  I look at is as sort of a game He can play at times….”Hmmm, which card should I play today in the Philip Buford Deck?  Which card today to bring him to his knees?  I want him closer to Me and he is straying just a bit.  There are many cards in the deck.  I need to get his attention.”   Or maybe, “He’s growing and following Me but I need to pull out a card to play today to show him something he is not aware of or maybe I’ll play this card that will prepare him to meet that person I’m bringing across his path in two months.  That person is going to need someone with this exact experience and knowledge.”

 

I think so many times we get so wrapped up in our own puny lives that we forget, we honestly forget that God is constructing all of this & if we will just be obedient, He will be able to use us in ways which we never imagine.  I try to teach my kids this but it is hard.  When something “bad” or unexpected happens, don’t get all fussy about it.  Step back and see what I can possibly learn from this….and if nothing comes to mind, then okay, just go on and live obediently.  We cannot possibly conceive what God has in store.  Who He will bring across our path?  What experience we will be able to recount to someone in such need and that will be the exact thing they need to hear to convince them that God is real and loves them?

 

How dare we be so conceited to think we matter so much – our job, our stuff, our plans.  Good grief, let God run the show.  It is not all about you.  It is all about HIM. Get yourself in the proper place, the proper perspective.  Get your attitude and priorities in line with God.

 

We just need to be obedient and do what He has told us.  Do that first then wait for more instruction. 

And when you do….wow, the joy, the peace, the overwhelming sense of awe that God used me.  God spoke through me.  Why me?  Thank you God, You used me.  To be used by the King.  Incredible. 

 

Live it and lead, be encouraged guys,

Philip Buford