A Serious Case Of Selectitis  #3                                                                                              

Did you realize that God has a sense of humor?  Like the time He started unpacking insights for this new blog about “releasing”, yet one paragraph after another kept pointing back to that pesky “lean not on your own understanding” found in Proverbs 3:5-6.

I had never really entertained writing series of blogs that were connected to one another, but obviously God had other plans.  So enjoy…

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.

The Folly and Fall –

March was nearly over, yet winter and spring continued to play a rousing game of hide and seek with one another.  Spring’s lackadaisical attitude pushed me to the brink of seriously considering the purchase of light therapy boxes.  That is until a few days later I awoke to bright prisms of sunlight dancing on the walls of our bedroom.  Finally the horizon only consisted of a brilliant yellow sun proudly hanging on a backdrop of sapphire blue.  For the record, there is nothing wrong with the color winter gray, just not on a sky-sized canvas for months on end.

Anticipating an entire day bathed in the gentle restorative warmth of the sun, made me smile, even if I had to spend a few hours inside working.  Overall friends and strangers would be happier, and kinder to one another.  Even those who naturally trend toward grumpy would have little pep in their step.

Cue The Downward Spiral –  

By late afternoon the steady stream of energized customers was reduced to a trickle.  Previous shoppers who had been abuzz with last minute outdoor plans were now in vehicles heading somewhere as fast as they could.  The end of day lull was in full swing, so it made perfect sense to take advantage of it.  I grabbed the only empty box in the shop, and gathered an assortment of consignment items for donation to local charities.  After selecting a handful of items I was in the zone, and when you’re in the zone a box can practically fill itself all the way to the brim without you even noticing there might actually be a few obstacles ahead. 

To begin with the box was awkwardly large, as in it actually had a (XL) stamped on it.  Then I had filled it as close to the top as possible, thus it was encroaching on the maximum weight limit.  At least I could see that much.  I focused on the tree, and completely missed the forest. 

For grins and giggles let’s make the blog a bit interactive. Try to guess what I did next? 

1. I removed some items from the box to lighten the load.
2. I waited for someone to help me carry the box.
3. I paused the plan until I had a few smaller, more manageable boxes.
4. I asked God for wisdom.
5. I did none of the above. 

Wait! Before you answer allow me to pose a slightly leading question that might influence your answer. 

Have you ever noticed the phenomenon that occurs after you have made a foolish decision, you quickly compound it by making several more in rapid succession?  A yeah. 

If, I had selected any of the first four, this story would have never been written.   However, because I was on a roll inserting my will above all manner of reason, I definitely chose none of the above.    

The next phase of my ridiculous plan entailed rearranging the heavier glass items to evenly distribute the overall weight of the box.  I know.  I know it still would weigh the same amount, but I was too far in to turn back now.  Go ahead you have my permission to laugh, or at least shake your head.  I would love to tell you that my foolishness stopped here, but I didn’t even pause.  Why you ask.  Well, because once I moved a few key pieces around I unexpectedly created a bit more room for – a few more items.   Yes, yes I did.

I could almost hear the Lord clear his throat, and groan as He watched me lift just one corner of the box attempting to convince myself that every thing would be just fine, and I was definitely up for the box challenge.    

A Teeny Weeny Bit Of Doubt –  

It was settled, and now I turned my attention to the bulging box exit strategy.  There was a clear path to the front door, which meant there were no tripping hazards to navigate, and that was a good thing. 

However, I reluctantly had to admit that it would be really difficult for me to dead lift anything that large off the floor to a standing position.  No worries, I would simply push the problematic box toward the front of the shop, and then hoist it onto a sofa table that was strategically located by the entry door.  That way I could slide it right into my arms from a standing position, which would allow me to navigate the three concrete steps to the sidewalk with the utmost caution.  This may have worked except for one unforeseen problem.  I’m talking literally unforeseen. 

Allow me to highlight a glaring absurdity.  How many glitches are enough to stop?  I was the personification of the strong willed child with a chubby finger crammed in each ear proclaiming to God, “I can’t hear you.  I can’t hear you.” even though I could.  I kept swatting away his warnings as if they were annoying mosquitos buzzing in my ear.  Eventually after ignoring him for the umpteenth time, God became very quiet, and in the silence I felt the need to start offering justifications for my disobedience. Not pretty, definitely not pretty. 

Down She Goes –  

I’ll hit fast forward for you.  Pushed the box across the store.  Hoisted the box onto the table.  Paused, because the box was heavy.  Hello!  Slid the box off the edge of table into my arms.  Took a deep breath and cautiously began to take the first step downward toward the sidewalk. 

However, when I glanced down to check the placement of my foot on the step, to my horror I realized that I was literally walking blind.  I had not taken into account that the circumference of the box completely obstructed the view of my feet, the steps, and the sidewalk path leading toward the parking lot.  At this point the possibility of stepping backwards into the shop ended when the door closed behind me.  Clearly I was “leaning so far over into my own understanding” there was nowhere to go, but down. 

It took almost ten forever minutes to wobble down the three deep steps.  Upon reaching the sidewalk I paused briefly in an attempt to muster even a smidge of counterfeit confidence to continue the mission, although nothing had really changed.  I was still cradling an oversized box that blocked the view in front of me, but oddly enough it seemed heavier than it was before.  The logical solution would have been to stop the madness, and put the box down.  However, the reality was that if I bent over my precarious hold would snap, and I would send the box crashing to the ground, or so I thought.    

A second later the unthinkable, but predictable occurred. 

In mid-step as my foot briefly floated over the sidewalk, a driver yelled out of his window, and simultaneously honked his horn right in front of me, or perhaps it was directed at me.  Without having any visible idea what had created his extreme reaction, I became disoriented.  Although my brain screamed, “stop walking”, my feet ignored the command, and walked me right off the deep curb pitched forward like the letter (C).  I staggered for a few rapid steps desperately attempting to regain my balance, and prevent a fall, but ultimately my counter measures were not enough.  I was going down with the box. 

This is when I should have dropped the stupid box (an object can be stupid) like a hot potato in order to lessen the possibility of serious injury, however I did the exact opposite.  I clutched it even tighter to my body, and then shut my eyes just before I hit the street at full force.  In the midst of the darkness I could hear shattering glass playing a chaotic song in the background…     

Relaxing On The Side Of The Road –

After opening my eyes I struggled to comprehend what I was seeing in front of me.  The time lapse between step, stumble, and fall was faster than you can ever imagine.  One moment I was standing on the sidewalk, and the next I was sprawled in a parallel parking spot within arms reach of on-coming traffic. 

During the t-i-m-b-e-r experience there was zero time to string a single thought together, but afterward I thought about those infomercials that demonstrate “how to properly fall” in order to prevent injury.  My unscientific conclusion is that there is a vast difference between a staged fall, and a surprise fall.  By the time you open your memory bank, and locate the ‘Prevent A Fall’ file folder, you’re already kissing the ground. 

Let me describe the crash site for you.  To my right was a crushed, empty box,  All the beautiful things were ejected upon impact, and instantly transformed into a cornucopia of broken pieces of glass.  In the middle of the glass field was a silver haired woman sitting on her bum looking like she was about to smoke a peace pipe.     

Miraculously, my injuries were minor compared to what they could have been.  I had foolishly, “No let’s be honest”, I had pridefully ignored God’s many warnings, and obliterate his admonition to stop leaning into what I thought, and submit to him in all my ways.  Yet, in his mercy He protected me from my disobedient self.  I was completely humbled by his faithfulness…

Class Begins –

Once I felt steady enough to stand I rushed to the car with one thought.  I desperately needed to climb into the Father’s arms, and talk with him about what had just transpired.  On the surface this story highlights the consequences of foolish decisions, but I knew there was something deeper than a busted box, bloodied legs, and giant bruises.  

Initially, I pondered the answers to the obvious top two questions. 

Why didn’t I listen to God?  Why didn’t I release that box? 

Then as I gave space to hear his answers, my heart shifted to “Father this is exactly what it looks like when You decide our time involved with something has come to an end, and we delay releasing it by tightening our grip.”

That afternoon, before pride led me off a curb, I was stricken with a serious bout of Selectitis.  Looking back I was exhibiting all three of the major symptoms, selective hearing, selective trusting, and selective surrender.  I grieved the heart of God, because I wanted control.   

What Is The Why –   

Isaiah 55:8-9 ⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The time between my avoidable visit with the asphalt and completing this blog was seventeen arduous months of writing, and waiting before God.  Over time I realized that no matter how many excuses I concocted to justify a delayed release when He said to let go, each of them landed squarely in the “lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him.  I am not exaggerating; every single excuse began with our limited, flawed, earthly understanding. 

 My Top Four Reasons For Delaying Release –

I have taken the liberty of compiling a short list of the most frequent responses heard leaving my lips when responding to God during seasons of release and surrender to his will, after becoming a follower of Jesus.

Oh, lest I forget to mention that unbeknownst to me I also had not one, but two huge misconceptions that hindered his truth from finding fertile soil.  These misconceptions would ultimately have an enormous impact on my ability to submit easily unto his will.  First, I did not fully understand the process and purpose of release and transition although I thought I did.  Second, there was a vast difference between ownership and stewardship. Let’s look a little deeper at each of these.

Out Of My Lips –

1. I don’t think I am hearing your voice.   
2. I need more details before I can fully commit. 
3. I don’t really want to release that right now.
4. That is not what I thought your will for my life would look.

Misconceptions –

1. I did not fully understand the process and purpose of release and transition.
2. I had never deeply pondered the difference between ownership and stewardship. 

1.  I Don’t Think I Am Hearing Your Voice –

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.”

Dear friends as his redeemed lambs the undeniable truth in God’s Word to our hearts is that we know the sound of his beautiful voice.  When He speaks we unquestionably know it’s him!

The best way I can describe what it sounds like when He speaks, is probably something we have all experienced in the natural at one time or another.  Have you ever entered a room with children engaged in lively banter after consuming copious amounts of sugary snacks?  They are having fun, and fun means they do not use their inside voices, nor do they politely take turns when speaking.  Within the multiple conversation clusters it’s a free for all as hundreds of words simultaneously swirl throughout the room.  However, pretty quickly an interesting phenomenon begins to unfold.  You become acclimated to the volume, and the cacophony of random words ricocheting back and forth blends together as one sound.   

That is until somewhere in the room, your child begins to speak.  Suddenly, somehow the sound of his voice will be heard over the low roar of all the others.  In that moment even though the room is loud, it seems quiet.  His voice is the only distinct one you can hear.  You would know it anywhere, because you are attune to the voice of the one you love.   Yes, it’s that simple.  Never doubt it. 

2.  I Need More Details Before I Can Fully Commit –

Usually like most sheep I willingly trot behind my Shepherd surrendering with relative ease to his desires and directions, as long as the sacrifice doesn’t seem too difficult or unpleasant.  Yet, on other occasions I have also been the sheep lollygagging at a safe distance not quite certain about where He is leading me, because I required (drum roll please) more information.     

I remember as a newbie in Christ I found deep solace in the story of Gideon, and his need for confirmation by way of a fleece on several occasions.  Gideon was a judge, warrior, and prophet.  I on the other hand was an eighteen-year-old freshly clean, but incredibly ignorant sheep.  I concluded that if Gideon needed a few fleeces, then surely the Lord would grant a baby believer many more.  So I became a prolific fleecer.

Slowly over time our patient Father would help me to realize that obtaining additional details had become a caveat before I would completely trust him.  Additional information was the safety net underneath my developing trust and faith in him.  Together we would dismantle the safety net one trust moment at a time, until He was all that remained.  Actually when you think about it, having a plethora of details doesn’t build a whole lot of faith or trust does it?   

Let me interject one last observation.  Our Creator knows every minute detail of all things created and unfolding.  He would never withhold a single detail that He thought we needed to know.  So, if He doesn’t reveal certain steps of the journey, then obviously we don’t need to know them.   Rest in that truth my friends.

3.  I Don’t Really Want To Release That Right Now –

The simple yet blunt reason we delay release and surrender is that we just don’t like what He is saying.  We hope that the situation might change, or that the Father will simply change his mind about what He desires.  

In my case I viewed yielding to his timeline, as a divine suggestion that also included when (I) thought the best time to release something would be.  Every single time I blew past his perfect timeline I could almost hear him say, “Okay for a while I’ll let you have it your way (scary words to hear), but this is how far I told you to go with that, and now you will get to carry it in your own strength, not mine.  

I can’t even imagine the depth of his sorrow when on occasion I delayed my “yes response” for six months, a year, or even two?  However, I can speak to how it felt when I entered the gates of “Willful Disobedience”.  That assignment that He earlier told me to put down became a joyless, backbreaking burden until I surrendered to his will.   

When the Father tells us it’s time to place something back in his hands, He desires a loving hand off, not a tug of war. 

4.  That Is Not What I Thought Your Will For My Life Would Look Like –  

2 Peter 3:9 ⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Why have I heard his voice directing me, but then attempted to marry his will to fit what I want his will to be for my life?  You know sometimes we can titter on the edge of being bratty children.  We want his will over our life to be pleasant with relatively few difficulties, and struggles.  We want the meadows and not the mud. 

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I need a “revelation reminder” of what “his will” truly means.  The umbrella of his will is the same for each and every one of us.  It’s to expand the population of his flock on earth one lost sheep at a time.  At the beginning, middle and end of every single day, it is always about his desire that none should perish.  His desperate heart of love beats for those still waiting to meet him, and that means He will even remove us or move us wherever He needs us to be for the soul of another.  It’s not about me.  It’s about them!

1. I Did Not Fully Understand The Process And Purpose Of Release And Transition –

It’s intriguing to me the plethora of misconceptions that surround how God views the changes that He ordains in the lives of his kids, and how we view the changes He initiates. 

1 Samuel 15:22 He desires obedience over sacrifice.

Obedience to the process of release, and transition is the Father will for each of us.  However, the liar of all liars will attempt to convince us that the Lord is recalibrating part of our lives, because our previous assignment no longer has value to him or worse we have failed God.  That lie couldn’t be farther from God’s truth, because nearly every time He directs us to release something, it’s the first giant step toward transitioning to something else.

Initially, we focus on the released thing and the individuals connected to it.  We feel all the feels, gather the opinions of man, and then sometimes we even counter God’s desire with our flawed perspective of the matter.  We forget that God’s reasons and timing are his, and not ours.  Man calls this temporary amnesia.  I wonder what God calls it? 

There is no denying that the process of releasing the known and stepping toward the unknown path of transition can weigh heavy on the heart.  However, our sorrow should quickly give way to an eager anticipation, and dare I say excitement over our next assignment from him. 

The process of releasing what God had previously selected for your life can encompass anything between a plan, project or position and a person, place, or thing. 

Uniquely Made For Unique Assignments –

Ephesians 2:10 ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Never forget that you are uniquely made, for unique assignments from God.  You are like an original piece of art created by God and authenticated by the name of Jesus.  There are no duplicates or numbered prints of you.  You are tailored made in his image for specific things and people who have need.  Think about it He saw their need, and then He created you.    

He does not send out a nation wide cattle call with hundreds or thousands of applicants vying for a specific project.  On the contrary, there are no names; except for the one individual He created to fulfill this assignment.  The Father searches the vastness of humanity and creates the exact sheep to send on his behalf.  It is (you) He has equipped!  It is (you) He desires to use! 

This is what release and transition actually sound like.

You obeyed me and traveled this way, and now I need you to go that way.

You honored me with this gift, and now I need to honor me with that gift.

You carried that burden long enough, and now I need you to put it down.  

You nurtured this relationship, and now I need you to pursue that relationship.

You influenced this group of people, and now I need you to influence that group of people.

You created this for me then, and now I need you create something different.

2.  I Had Never Deeply Pondered The Difference Between Ownership And Stewardship –

With all that He taught me, I knew there was still an all-important missing element.  That missing piece was actually the pivotal piece that all aspects of surrendering to release, change, and transition hinge upon.  The root reason why we bristle and delay letting go of something in order to pursue something else He desires for us to accomplish for him is that we are confused about who owns what.

Psalm 50:10-12 ¹⁰ for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.¹¹ I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.

He owns everything.  Those three powerful words will rapidly realign our thoughts, motives and desires.  He owns everything.  As in there is only one, single name listed on the title as owner – Jesus.

God Has A Perfect Plan –

He knows every minute detail it will take to execute his perfect plan.

He searches and then selects you to assist him in executing his perfect plan.  

After your yes response, our Heavenly Father will release his perfect plan to you.

You are not the creator nor the owner of his perfect plan. 

You are simply a seasonal steward of his perfect plan.

In Closing –

Just in case you are still troubled with your ability to answer with a quicker “yes”, let me share one story from the Word.  There are many other examples in the scriptures waiting for you to discover them.      

Contained in Matthew 4:18-22 is the story of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew, then James and John to “come follow me”.  Each set of brothers as recorded in scripture responded immediately by dropping their nets and then following him.   

It’s worth noting during his invitation to the brothers, Jesus did not say, “Boys feel free to talk amongst yourselves, weigh the pros and cons of following me, and then get back with me by weeks end with your decision.”  

Their instant “yes” to him was based on only one fact.  Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah and that was all they needed to know.  Eventually they would witness his power to heal, deliver, and perform miracles.  Eventually, they would encounter his compassion, mercy and love, yet they committed to follow him on his journey without knowing any of the details between their yes, and his death. 

Dear ones He is our Messiah as well, and that is all we truly need to know in order to say, “Yes.”    

Our Creator knew his beloved creation would ultimately need a Savior.  Thus, He created a solution for our sin, and then executed the exact plan for our redemption thousands, and thousands of years ago.  Let’s not forget that there is also a heavenly retirement community with a mansion waiting for us as well. 

If, He can do all that, then I am absolutely, unequivocally certain that He is capable of directing each and every step during our life journey.  Really when you stop and think about it, why would we ever hesitate to surrender our will to his will?  

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways submit to him, and He will make your crooked paths straight.

Until next time,

Wen

Please feel free to like, comment, and share this link privately with others.