yet not my will, but yours be done....

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.
- Helen Keller 

Yesterday I learned a lesson, a lesson about myself...sometimes I can be so dense, arrogant and controlling.  When I let go and let God, things fall into place so much better than when I try to do it myself.  In my need to control things I tried and failed at attempting to do something outside of my scope, outside of what God called me to do, something someone else can do so much better.  I'm not very technical, mostly because I lack patience and logic!  I spent hours yesterday trying to create a presentation for kids church, it was painful for me and I wasn't getting very far.  When I finally realized that I have a co-worker who already does this every week and does it well, that I was trying to control every part of my life, I unclenched my fists (metaphorically) and let go of this...things went so much better.  I was able to do what I do best, organize and think creatively.  I came up with a fun hands-on activity for kids church, wrote up my lesson and ran errands to gather all the supplies. 

By trying to so something God did not bless, I wasted time and energy.  If I would have prayed about it, instead of going to my fleshly thoughts I would have known that my energies would have been spent better doing what God called me to do.  It made for a very long day, but in the end I learned a lot and also got a lot accomplished.  It was such a little thing, but when I listened to God things went smoother. 

Last night I was reading about Moses handing over leadership to Joshua right before the Israelites were going into the Promised Land, it made me think and reflect on how much I can be like the Israelites.  By doing what I want, it takes me out of God's will and keeps me wandering in the desert, when I could have reached the destination so much faster.  

"Be strong and courageous, Do not be afraid or terrified because of them for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:5, 6 

The Lord goes with me...but am I going with Him?  I hope I don't have to keep learning this lesson over and over again!