God’s Will

It could be described as when we don’t try to control the outcome and let God lead. A lot of people don’t understand or know how to do that. For a long time, I was one of them.

At one time in my life I allowed the man I was in a relationship with to control me. He controlled my actions, my words, the way I dressed, and even tried to control my thoughts, or at least had to know them as soon as they entered my head. He did not have my best interest at heart.

On the other hand, God always has our best interest at heart. He loves us so much and wants us to be the person He created us to be. He wants us to allow Him to lead us to that path. But He is not a task master. He allows us to have our own free will to decide for ourselves. I saw the dark path that leads me to, and I don’t ever want to go back there. God’s way is light and full of love. If we let go of the things of this world that lead us to the arms of the enemy, He promises us a new life full of joy and peace that eventually leads us to the Kingdom.

Last Fall I was approached by a homeless man asking for change. In my experience with non-profits and shadowing a homeless woman for a day on the streets, I’ve learned what they usually do with the money they are given. I have heard many times that we shouldn’t give it to them because they will purchase alcohol with it. Keeping to that theory, I turned him away. I usually make a zip lock bag full of other items for the winter such as socks, hand warmers, and gloves. But this time I wasn’t prepared.

I believe God showed me something about this experience. In a sense I was trying to control the outcome by not giving him the money he asked for. I am not supposed to draw conclusions about other people’s intentions, I am just supposed to give generously, help those in need and love like Jesus loved. I don’t really know for sure that he was going to purchase a drink with the money if I had given it to him. I am to be kind no matter what and let God control the outcome. Even if he did purchase something other than food with the money, that is not for me to judge or decide for him. That is between him and God.

After that I purchased the socks, gloves and hand warmers and made my package, to be ready for the next time- by the way, I also included a little money in each one. I hope I can keep learning and growing more like Jesus in everything I do. I don’t tell you this for praise but to share how we are to love everyone and be generous, so we can be more like Jesus and let God’s will lead us.

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you have me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 5:35,40

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matthew 26:52

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgotten those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13