Hello there!
Steph Raquel here, from Naperville, Ill. (near Chicago!) and I have a question for you:
Have you ever told God He’s wrong?
I have. More than once, actually!
As we study Habit Three of Nicki Koziarz’s #5HabitsBook, She Stays Open to the Movement of God, I can’t help but think about one particular season where this happened.
My husband Steve was interviewing for a new job in another part of the country. The hiring deadline kept changing and for several weeks, we thought we were going to a certain city. We had dear friends there, a possible job connection for me, loved the surrounding area and it was near a city we’d envisioned living in for a long time.
Except when he was offered the job, God got it wrong. Or at least, so I thought, and I pretty much told Him so.
The new employer felt that because Steve had more experience, he’d be a good fit for a regional field office — in a different place than where we’d imagined ourselves for nearly half a year.
I was sad, mad and frustrated all in one. So I actually told God He must have gotten it wrong! Didn’t He know He made a mistake?
But want to know what happened? Our great God gently reminded me He was still in control of the universe, and He didn’t need me to do His job. In fact, He could actually use some Bible-believing Christ followers in another city, too.
In the end, we moved to that new city and soon fell in love with the place! By God’s grace we found an awesome church, had a thriving small group, meaningful work and fantastic co-workers, had our first child there and were surrounded by caring mentors. Needless to say, we lived a lot of life there, and it was tough to move away a few years later!
And none of it could have happened unless we’d stayed open to the movement of God. (Even though initially I did tell God He was wrong!)
Pondering that, I see evidence of Nicki’s reminder that
“God doesn’t meet us at perfection. He meets us where we are in our process toward receiving His promises.”
And for that, I am so grateful!
Dear Lord, thank You that you don’t expect me to get it right 100% of the time. I realize you don’t necessarily need me to tell You I think You “got it wrong” … but it’s OK to just start where I am, and let You move in my heart and life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflect and Respond:
Observe — Think of a time you felt maybe God made the wrong decision in your life. How did you react? How did it turn out?
Bible — If you need some tangible reminders of See-Over Prayers, check out this beautiful freebie from Nicki! Grab your copy here.
As you read through these Scripture passages, which one encourages you the most?
Stretch — Write your own “See-Over Prayers” in your P31 OBS Journal.