God wants his will for me more than I do

"God wants his will for me more than I do"

This past Sunday, a member of my church, Grace DC, shared his testimony during the service.  The one line that really stuck out to me was "God wants his will for me more than I do."

I've been mulling it over the past few days and really trying to absorb the profoundness of that statement. 

God wants his will for me more than I do.

I tend to err on the side of focusing on myself...items I want to own, people I want in my life, places I want to visit, career opportunities I want to pursue.  I do pray for these areas of my life, but I often find myself trying to beg and plead with God instead of taking the attitude that if it is good for me, and in His will, then He will give it to me.  It may not look the exact way I want it to.  It may not be an the exact time I want it.  But I have to trust that since He wants what is best for me, He will give what is best for me.

A couple of verses came to mind:

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 6:33

I think about the way my parents raised me.  They wanted what was best for me.  As a child, we were limited on sweets and TV watching time.  Sure, I would have rather had unlimited access to cookies and probably watched much more TV, but would that really have been loving of my parents to allow me to do that?  The same example holds through the teenage years: curfews, driving restrictions, mandatory family time.  I may not have been thrilled at these things, but looking back I can certainly appreciate the ways in which my parents cared about what was best for me.

I can also look back over my life and see the ways in which God has cared for me: relationships that ended, doors closed on certain opportunities that I thought I wanted and even friendships that I thought I wanted.  At the time, it wasn't fun.  I wanted what I wanted.  But God saw fit to change the path--and move me closer to him in the process.

Even though it's February now (yay!) and 2011 memories seem like ancient history, take some time to reflect on the ways in which God has guided your path in the last year.  If you are struggling with patience in an area or not sure where to go next, rest assured that God wants what it best for you.

Finally, I don't say this enough, but if I can ever pray for you, please let me know.  I would be honored!