Running Ahead
Posted in Daily Focus on Sunday, February 16, 2014
"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1).
My daughter's riding lesson had gone well that day. I was proud to see her riding correctly at both a walk and a trot, and I knew she was looking forward to cantering soon. As she circled the arena for the last time, I shouted, "It's time to quit for the day, so we can finish the rest of our schoolwork. Bring her in, and we'll brush her down together."
As my daughter turned her horse back toward the paddock, she replied, "OK, Mom, but watch this." Thinking she was ready to handle the extra speed, she cued her horse into a canter. I shook my head "no" at her, but her horse was already moving so fast she could barely hang on to the reins. As her horse took control and increased its speed to a full gallop, I knew my daughter was in trouble. Quickly, I ran in front of the gate to slow down her horse. Instead, her horse applied its full brakes and stopped dead in its tracks. However, my daughter didn't stop. She flew through the air and hit the fence with her chest. As I picked her up, she couldn't breathe, and I thought her windpipe had been broken. Fortunately, only the air had been completely knocked out of her lungs, and she was OK after several anxious minutes. "I'm sorry, Mom," she said when she was finally able to speak. "I thought I could handle the speed."
The real lesson my daughter learned that day deals with the same pride that causes many of us Christians to fall. Not willing to wait on the Lord, we too run ahead and attempt to take the reins. We forget who is in control and make unsound financial decisions or foolish choices based on our emotions, not expecting to be hurt in the process! God may even tell us "no," but we ignore Him and let our pride tell us we can handle it. We run into problems and pain we could have avoided if we had just waited on the Lord.
Are you struggling with waiting on God today? Is your anxious attitude becoming like the world's that says, "I can't take this anymore. I'll take care of it myself"? Be careful! Running ahead of God may find you lying on your back someday as you struggle to pray and ask Him for help. "The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him" (Lamentations 3:25).
Lord, teach me to be still and know You are God. Help me to trust in Your answers instead of my own and wait for the best You have planned for me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Comments(13 comments)
Courtney W 02/16/2010 04:44:23
This is just what i needed this morning. Thank you Lord!
JENNAFER J 02/16/2010 08:22:15
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today(and yesterday, and half of my life...)!! Praise God!
BARBARA S 02/16/2010 14:34:23
I thought this was a great reminder. I would have loved to share it on facebook. Maybe you could add that option. Thanks.
KIM S 02/16/2011 04:45:30
Just a reminder as I make some decisions for myself, how waiting on God's timing is best.... Kim
KELLY J 02/16/2011 05:38:44
I am currently waiting on the Lord for an answer to a prayer. The wait is hard but I know that this is what the Lord wants me to do, WAIT!!! His timing is so much better than my own. I find this devotion very "real' at this time.
DONNA J 02/16/2011 08:21:34
Once again, this awesome devotional has ministered from the Holy Spirit directly into my open heart. Praise God!
CATHY B 02/16/2011 09:28:23
Cathy B
Thank you for answering my prayer with such a story as this. Often I have wanted to run to avoid problems. Using the I can take care of myself atitude and at the same time asking him to show me the way.I so needed this reminder today to be patient and all will be worked out in his time.
TRACY R 02/16/2011 10:13:12
Sometimes we see our children make unwise decisions and think that we have all the answers. Instead of praying about what to do and waiting on God to see what he wants we jump right in and make matters worse.
TAREEA C 02/16/2011 10:27:47
Wow! Your personal stories amuse and amaze me! The way that the Lord uses you and your writing abilities to witness to others is a glorious gift. Thank you Jesus for giving us great gifts!
DAVID B 02/16/2012 05:59:18
I have been sharing AOP's daily focus on FB lately as i thought it might also benefit others spiritually like it does to all of us here... This is an excellent reminder of the value of patience
LINDSEY G 02/16/2012 06:11:53
I've been praying about a daunting issue in our family's life for a few days. And whenever I pray about it, God has brought this verse to my heart. Today's devotional was confirmation that THIS is exactly what God wants from me: to wait on Him and see Him orchestrate events according to HIS will, rather than for me to run ahead in fear. Thank you for today's message...definitely from the Lord.
TIFFANY H 02/16/2012 08:01:00
Your devotionals always say the right things each morning. Thank you for taking the time and writing from your experiences. Today\'s devotional was just as purposeful. The Lord is always watching out for us. Thank you for sharing what I needed to be reminded of today.
LEZZETT H 02/16/2012 11:39:02
Can I just say wow? WOW! I have been a stay home mom now for 7 yrs & this is my 1st yr in homeschooling. Our money is tight as only my husband is working & is paid salary. Over the past couple of months I\'ve had an urgency to help my husband financially so I was asking God to direct me in what to do b/c there is no way I would send my kids back to public school (at least for now) so I have to find something around my school/family time. 2 wks ago I found something & presented it to my DH & he wanted me to wait b/c unbeknown to me, he had committed himself to an online business which in my womanly way and gut feeling said, it was a money pit. I was right. But I still had the urgency to do what God was showing me. So my husband ducked out of this money pit online job & I jumped in to what I feel strongly is from God. This is a timely message for m b/c to me its like a confirmation to what I was telling my DH. And also, I have been seeking God diligently about my next move. So anyway...this was such a needed message today! Tks a million! -Lilly