– Monday Muse –
Dear One, when I first came upon Oswald Chambers’ quote, “Do not ask God to do for you what you can do yourself,” his thoughts caused me to sit back and think through Chambers’ statement.
I wandered through my prayer-requests, asking myself, do I do that? I found that I did. Then I wondered, how often? I was surprised by what I learned about myself, and the number of responsibilities I had unsuccessfully tried to move from my plate to God’s.
Of course, it is right, and directed in Scripture, that we bring everything to God. But Chambers’ words are also true. For no where in God’s Word does He portray Himself as our Genie-in-a-Bottle. We should pray for wisdom, strength, perseverance, and all that is needed to carrying out God’s will in our lives. And after that ask Him to do that which can only be accomplished through the Working-of-the-Holy Spirit.
That got me thinking of one of my old favorite television programs, Bewitched. This is what I found in Wikipedia:
“Bewitched is an American television fantasy series,
Originally broadcast for eight seasons on ABC from
September 17, 1964 to March 25, 1974. It is about a
Witch who marries an ordinary mortal man, and vows
to lead the life of a typical suburban housewife…”
It starred Elizabeth Montgomery, as Samantha, the young bride, who would always get into a fix, and have to use her magic to get life back in order. I especially enjoyed the times when her kitchen was a disaster, and she whipped it into place with a twitch of her nose. What new bride wouldn’t, and I was a new bride too, having married in June of that year. Yes, I would watch Samantha magically make all things perfect with a twitch, and wish that I could do that too. Oh yes, silly me.
On more reflection of Chamber’s thought, I realized I really do need to concentrate more on doing my part. And it seems to me, that to live in fuller obedient, useful service I should begin my day by asking God for a fresh anointing of wisdom. And with that wisdom set forth to do my part…not by wishing, hoping, dreaming, but by doing. God does call His faithful…workers and servants of the Lord.
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works:
show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee
my faith by my works.” James 2:17-18 KJV
Blessings,
Susanne
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