So God . . . This Is What I Want.

This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians ‭1:25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve often wondered why God doesn’t ask for my advice.

Don’t I see things that the omnipresent God can’t see? Don’t I know things that the omniscient God doesn’t know? I think I have some really good ideas (not really).

I think I know a great deal, when in reality, I know very little. The pretense of my insight and wisdom promotes my insignificance and waning. Pride effects perception. Saint Augustine reminds us, “We were ensnared by the wisdom of the serpent; we are set free by the foolishness of God.”

God loves us. Yet, His passion does not permit our prominence. Alistair Begg writes, “God’s concern is for His name, His glory, His people, His unfolding eternal purpose and for His Kingdom.” Its all about Him.

So, I’ve been asking . . . what does God want from me?

God Wants My Heart More Than My Help. God appreciates our affection for Him over our assistance to Him. Solomon reminds us, “O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” (‭‭Prov 23:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬). When we follow God’s ways, we find our work.

God Wants My Surrender More Than My Strengths. I often ask, If God has made me the way I am, then why doesn’t He use my strengths, abilities, aptitudes? I’m still learning . . . God wants us to “give over” control, instead of “take over” control. Paul tells us, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (‭‭Eph‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬). The Master creates and commissions His masterpiece.

God Wants My Patience More Than My Plans. God’s timetable considers eternity past and eternity promised folding them into His everyday plan. The psalmist, David tells us, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Ps‬ ‭27:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬). Waiting on God enhances the work of God.

God Wants My Intercession More Than My Intervention. F.B. Meyer writes, “The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” Eugene Peterson, in The Message, gives some insight into the apostle Paul’s teaching, “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” (‭‭1 Tim 2:1-3‬ ‭MSG‬‬) Prayer is the priority which releases God’s power. Woodrow Kroll reminds us, “Fervent prayers produce phenomenal results.”

If there is a foolishness of God, it is still be more intelligent that my greatest insight.

God sees more than I can see.
God understands more than I understand.
God cares more than I care.

So, what God wants . . . I want.