“Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.” We must never be so foolish as to think we “own” anything. It all belongs to God – children, parents, homes, jobs, our very lives….God owns, creates, governs it all and how much infinitely better it is in His keeping!
Peter
189 posts
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Location: n.a.
12/05/2014 07:19
Re: All is Thine!
This is really good to remember when thinking about our purpose or work. I have spent lots of time/energy/angst thinking about doing what God wants me to do, or trying to keep doing something because I think it's God's plan for me or others because it was yesterday or last year.
And even though there is a good motive, the attitude about it is one of fear and not trusting and creates a tremendous amount of damage.
I look at Christianity historically, and Christian Science church when it tried to control messaging, and even our church! There has been a lot of damage done in the name of good, and, because there is a "good motive", somehow it seems justified or "God's plan". In Plainfield, Mrs. Evans no doubt loved Christian Science, and loved humanity - I felt it and knew it! - but, she felt she owned the church and its mission, or at least the responsibility for it, and it caused a lot of damage and hurt for many towards the later years of her time here. For herself, as well.
And, worse, when we take an ownership attitude over our work, we often handle as the devil or animal magnetism anything that challenges that position --- even when it is God that is challenging it!!! I think that ends in a form of insanity, if the emotional misery is not enough to get us to stop!
But God owns my purpose and work! Every day is new with new opportunities to show and see God's creation which is ever appearing -- and therefore, if there is anything that feels stale in our lives, we can be sure something's amiss.
MaryBeth
795 posts
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Location: n.a.
Editor
12/05/2014 16:19
Re: All is Thine!
Thank you. It is true - if anyone (myself included) ever feels a sense of ownership, or “I” am the only one doing anything of importance, followed with anger at lack of support etc., it is time to step back and re-assess and to find his or her dominion in God. Pushing urgently forward only leads to disaster. There is never drudgery with this work in God’s vineyard, but constant joy, refreshment, progress, healing….. difficult challenges yes, but surmounting each one with renewed vigor and strength. I like what you posted a while ago – something to the effect that when you come to God for answers start out with the premise that whatever you are already thinking is most likely to be “wrong” for this humbleness of mind enables you to be totally open to new ideas from Him.
