by: Rachel Neumeister

Running from the Lord: His plan VS Ours

Sometimes I wonder if I am in God’s will, when he hasn’t specifically told me what I should be doing.  I often struggle to figure out how to combine His will with my ambitions.  Since I have been a little child I have dreamt of going to Australia, and finally my dream is coming true.  I’m not sure of anything I can or will be doing ‘down there’ to benefit the Kingdom of God, but I am praying for opportunities to do so. 

Earlier this week, I read the book of Jonah.  His story is challenging, and forces me to examine my own life to see if I am running from God, not necessarily with my whole life, but even if it’s only in one area.  If someone dreams of becoming something outside of God’s will, it may result in frustration, whereas if one pursues God’s goals alongside his own, he will be prosperous.  Not to mention that there is no greater joy than doing that which God calls you to do. 

In reading Fred’s devotional this issue (check it out, if you haven’t), I was encouraged that it’s okay that “Sometimes we don’t hear anything special from God because He has us in a general place heading in a general direction”.  

Even though Australia is one of my own personal dreams, I can still use it to accomplish something for the Lord.

Counting the Cost

On January 18, Nick Cardases spoke in chapel.  I admittedly barely remember the topic of his talk, but one point stuck out to me, a point that he mentioned in conclusion: Counting the Cost.  I’ve sung song after song with this as a line, or even a theme.  However, as with many other topics I heard in Sunday School and repeatedly over the years, I was not able to fully understand it (and perhaps am still not) and how counting the cost applies to my life.  The thought struck me tonight: God could choose at any moment to take away my father or mother or brother or school or home or job or anything that has any value to me and what would I be left with?  My faith in him is all I would have; is it strong enough to sustain me? 

Not only was I challenged with this question, but I realized that it is a commandment to be able to do that - to be willing to give everything up for the sake of Him.  Luke 14:26 says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple”.  What does it mean to “hate” these things?  I think it means to not literally hate, but to put God above them.  It is easy to receive this message as a light-hearted, feel-good suggestion on how to live a Godly life, but understanding it as a commandment is much more difficult.  Ask yourself: is God the number one priority in your life?  Living a lifestyle in lieu of ‘counting the cost’ involves seeking His will, living and breathing His Spirit and arranging our goals, ambitions and thoughts around His plan.