Weights

I was in the gym this morning pressing weight, like a lot of it. And this guy, who I'd asked for a spot, with a sarcastic grin on his face says, "Hey, why don't you throw some more weight up there." If he only knew that that wasn't the only weight I was going to be pressing. If he only knew how I tend to carry around my cares and concerns - how they literally weigh my mind down and prove that I'm not trusting God as I should be. The burden of doubt is too much to carry sometimes - the proof of trust floats like a single feather in the wind - free!

I asked a friend yesterday for some advice, financial and the like, and he said, "Will, you need to know what you want so that when God gives it to you, you'll recognize it as a gift from him." He even followed his advice with a guarantee, "If you'll just trust God, I guarantee that by the end of the year these prayers will be answered." I snickered to myself, with a "Yeah right?" attitude. I don't believe in sooth saying and I don't believe he was sooth saying. I believe he was saying that he's got proof that God answers prayer, I do too, but it's hard to believe for the big stuff isn't it? I'm more prone to believe the U.S. Basketball team is going to win the gold medal in the Olympics. I even took some time to believe that the Lakers were going to win the Finals, we see where that got me.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with having hope that people will do the right thing, but I do believe it is wrong, no that's not the right word - tiresome, it's tiresome, and frustrating, and crippling to not live trusting God. Peter admonishes us to "Humble ourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you" (1 Ptr 5:6-7).

He does. I know he does. PS spoke on Sunday and pointed out that God raised up Joshua, that Joshua was there for the parting of the Red Sea, the pillar of fire, the ten plagues on Egypt, the water gushing from the rock- he was one of two to come back from seeing the promised land with a good report of faith that they could overtake it. The other 10, the ones who doubted, they saw God move too, but instead they decided to concentrate on the circumstances. I want to be like Joshua. I want to see all of what God has for me. I've been one with a negative report. I guess it's time to see the land that has been promised with my faith. The beauty of it all is this, as I pursue him, and begin to walk in what he has for me, I bring what he's given me to those that I interact with along the way - we all get a piece of his glory.