"Have it Your Way..." That's the Burger King tagline. We like the idea of having our food "made to order." Hold the cheese... extra pickles... no onion... toast the bun... we can have it anyway we want. Kinda nice I guess.
Unfortunately, the fast-food mentality has, in some ways, altered our perception of reality. We tend to feel that everything should happen fast and be done just the way we like it. I'm reminded of what my dad would say when he preached during revival services. With sweat pouring down his face, and the Hammond B-3 organ tuned up just right, he would belt out, "This is not Burger King. You can't have it your way... because God's way is the best way!"
I always loved to hear dad preach. He could "hoop" for days. As I grew older though, I realized that hearing the burger king analogy and living it, were two different things entirely!
As you go through life, lots of situations won't turn out the way you want them to. Ups and downs are a natural part of life. It takes patience, diligence, and loyalty in your pursuits, to see growth and progress. You can't plant the vineyard and expect to reap a harvest the very next day. The seeds you've sown must be cultivated and nurtured. Then, in due season, reaping time will come.
Seems like we would all know that by now, right? So why then, do we find ourselves flustered and outdone when God's plans don't line up with ours... when they don't happen quickly enough... when transition doesn't go smoothly enough? We feel like our path isn't paved well enough, so when we hit those bumps in the road, we feel beat up by life, discouraged, and hurt.
Don't we know that God's ways are not our own? As many times as He has made us wait, told us no, changed our plans, and altered the course of our destiny; the idea that we can't have life "made to order" should be obvious.
But sometimes we forget that. We want to be instantly gratified. We want to have it our way... right away... all day... everyday.
Trust me, I know what it's like to go into hysterics when things seem to be off course. Been there... done that... got the T-shirt. Still, it didn't change anything. God was completely unimpressed with my antics and tantrums.
I'm sure you can relate... bet you've got your own T-shirt too!
After a while, I realized that God doesn't go on guilt trips. Neither does He apologize for not giving into my whims. You see, Drive-Through Windows don't exist in the Kingdom of God. The Lord never has been, nor ever will be, in the business of taking orders from us.
He is sovereign. As the lyrics to John P. Kee's song called "Sovereign" says... "He'll do what He wants to do, when He gets ready to do it."
God does the ordering. We do the following. The sooner we recognize that, the better off we'll be.
Instead of getting ourselves worked up about the process, we would all do well to settle in and settle down. Do what the Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)
Remember, the Lord responds to: Obedience, fervent prayer, faith, and praise. When you're at your breaking point, instead of breaking down, choose to do one of the aforementioned four things. Stop seeking to have it your way; say to God exactly what Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane, "...Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." (See Luke 22:42)
Once you begin desiring what He wants and submitting to His process, you'll receive the best God has to offer! "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land." (Isaiah 1:19 NIV)
Until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
