Perfectly Suited

“You didn’t ask for this, yet you are perfectly suited for it.”

Such was the response given by the one who heard my lament while listening to my heart. We had been  journeying together long enough for this one to have received a fairly clear picture of my life story. Their observation landed deep in my heart and mind.

What could I say? To deny it would be to reject my very existence, the life I had just finished recounting. Furthermore, the “this” that I had not asked for was precisely to where the Lord had brought me. The place of my longing that was unfolding by the Lord’s hand in ways I had not anticipated.

To acknowledge the truth of their statement meant further embracing God’s direction of my life. Yet I was not to be the one in control of my natural circumstances nor of my spiritual ones. Embracing and controlling are concepts diametrically opposed to one another.

What I was to be was able and willing.

The questions asked of me then remain the litmus test of how rightly related one’s heart is to God:

Am I able? Meaning, do I have the ability? Do I know what the Word of God says? If I don’t, can I learn?

In the body of Christ, I believe most would answer ‘yes.’ After all, we humans pride ourselves on our ability to gain more ability. Knowledge is a prized commodity and God’s people are not immune to the temptation that began at “the tree of the knowledge of…” clear back in the Garden.

When the Lord asks the question though (sometimes through a co-sojourner), He desires a simple and honest answer: “No Lord, I am not able to embrace all you are asking of me.” Let me count the ways!

He’s a good listener. But then He reminds once again that His strength is executed and concluded in weakness; even in my feeble and frail thought processes and weak body. II Cor. 12:9  That He gives wisdom (liberally) and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Prov 2:6

And He restates that He has provided through His power and intimate relationship with Him everything I need –  which is nothing short of His ability – for life and godliness. And so He brings me to a point of decision…

Am I willing?

How I answer that question depends upon the value I place in this life I have lived, am living, and will yet live, both tomorrow and for eternity. More importantly, it depends upon how valuable the Lord is to me.

If I answer ‘yes’, then opportunities will abound to take Him at His Word. His sure promises will become experientially mine as I choose to step into them in believing faith. They will prove to be trustworthy.

If I hesitate or answer ‘no’, there are reasons. Thus begins the Q & A all over again:

Am I able to find out what those reasons are? Am I willing to look more deeply so that I may be able to embrace that for which God has perfectly suited me?

These are questions designed to draw me into the heart of the Father, as I invite and allow Him to show me my heart.

“For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).” II Peter 1:3 (AMP)

Perfectly suited,

Gracefully Free

Note: At Shammahs Field LLC/Shammah Ministries, we walk with many who are discovering their answers to these questions. And more importantly, are discovering the unfailing love of their heavenly Father. You can learn more about the resources we have to offer at www.shammahsfield.com.