Apr
20
Written by:
Route 365
4/20/2010 7:23 AM
written by Jessie Pepper
This reading is a reflection on the long-term struggles between the house of David and the house of Saul. Both parties fought for true leadership of Israel and both had their own initiatives. This was a time far from God and God’s will. When Abner is in a desperate situation during a battle with Joab, he guilts Joab into making an oath in the Lord’s name to stop pursuing him. Even in this moment the men seem to have their own initiatives in mind, and not the will of God.
Four years ago I became a partner at the firm I work for. This was a significant change in responsibilities for me. At times I found myself struggling with the new power and trying to control my work environment. I was not living my life as God would want me to live it. As I struggled, I became anxious and stressed over work, which ultimately trickled into my personal life. It was not until my recent change to my faith journey that I realized the importance of God’s will. Just like in this reading, many of us turn our backs to God’s will and live by our own wills without Him. I have learned in times of struggles to reach out to God, and ask Him to guide me by His will. I find that when I give up my initiative and allow for God’s will to take over, my stress and anxiety go away. When I am traveling on God’s path I have a tendency to be positive and make the right decisions. The decisions are what God wants—at least to the best of my knowledge—and not what I always want. This is not to say that I still do not get caught up in my own will. It is a difficult path to stay on, but we have the best support tool ever—God!
I challenge you after this reading to consider times in your life when you struggled with your own initiatives versus God’s will. Consider whether or not this is what Jesus would have done. I also ask that you pray that God helps guide you through these struggles and leads you back to His path. Remember that it is sometimes the road less traveled.
God Bless,
Jessie
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