Does your “but” ever get in the way?
I want God’s best, but. . .
I want to be physically fit, but. . .
I want God to work in my relationships, but. . .
I want to take a step toward that calling, but. . .
Not too long ago I was listening to a woman share her deepest desires over her faith and in her family. There was no doubt of her sincerity. She was desperate for change.
We prayed together and I asked her this question, the one question that I’ve felt pressing on my own heart.
The one question behind every conversation that you and I are having this month:
If Jesus offered you a mended heart and asked for {{fill in the blank}} in return, what would that be?
She knew the answer. She said she’d known it for a long time. She shook her head. “I want to give it to Him,” she said, “but. . . ”
And there it was.
A big ‘ole but.
Perhaps you believe that I should have never asked her this question. After all, Jesus came to give us a mended heart. There’s no price attached. We don’t have to earn it. We don’t have to perform for it. We don’t have to twirl away and dance a dance a for it.
He just gives it.
Yes, He does. This gift has no strings. Instead, it’s a gift that continues to be opened and treasured and personalized over time.
It’s a carefree way of living as His girl.
We believe that this gift is ours to receive. We trust that behind every layer, every treasure inside, that God is waiting to show us something new because He cares for us.
Live carefree before God because He is most careful for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (The Msg).
Every time we offer up our “big ‘ole but,” we are holding up our hands for what He desires to give.
All of it.
I want Your best, so here’s that one thing I’ve held on to for way too long.
I want You to work in my relationship, so here’s that resentment/hurt/pain/anger/lashing out/stuffing in/whatever fills this blank.
Not too long ago I was given a gift that surprised and delighted me, a handcrafted kaleidoscope.
Like a child I held it up and looked through the stained glass treasure and I spun the wheel, the colored jewels creating a different masterpiece with every single spin.
My first instinct was to put it up in a cabinet where you could only see it from a distance, because it was fragile. Such a treasure.
It was only when I sat side by side with friends, with my grandbabies, with my grown children, and I held and touched and shared that gift freely that I was able to fully experience the joy of the kaleidoscope.
Giving up our “buts” allow us to live the gift. To enjoy it. To unwrap it. To experience it.
Are you ready to give up your big ‘ole “but?”
Suzie
Good morning Suzie,
Naturally, I had to chuckle when I thought about my big ‘ole but getting in the way. When I gave it more thought, however, it really made me think about what I am holding back on with God. Two things boldly came to mind…my insecurity and my self-sufficiency. When God calls me to do something, like the Christian school in Pakistan, I was like Moses – immediately filled with the insecurity- filled excuses as to why I’m not the right person. Then, when I finally do accept His calling, I set out upon the task in my own strength thinking that I (self-sufficient I) have to do this instead of realizing that if He calls me to something, He will give me the strength and power and wisdom to do whatever it takes. It ultimately brings me back to a place of reliance and dependence on God. Thank you for this thought-provoking post that will make me think about getting my big ‘ole but out of the way at the very beginning.
Blessings,
Bev
Oh Bev, what a brave woman of faith you are! I love the insight in this and your courage and determination, but more so the gentle surrender in this comment. I’m so glad you stopped by!
I am ready! We actually surrendered a bunch of big ‘ole’ buts a couple of weeks ago in one area of life and the peace that flowed from making that decision was indeed one that surpassed understanding! I have also been making excuses for leaving unwritten and that is what the Lord is asking me to surrender today … no more excuses! Thank you for being so real Suzie!
Sign me up to give up my big ole but, Suzie 🙂
Yes ma’am, me too!
No “buts” about it….there are several I’d love to give. You always have a gentle way of approaching a subject. God speaks with might in that gentleness.
OH, Suzanne it you only knew . . .
Thank you for these convicting words, and for hosting us today.
Let’s get our “buts” out of the way — together! <3
Suzie, this is a hard question -> If Jesus offered you a mended heart and asked for {{fill in the blank}} in return, what would that be?” But it’s no necessary. Thanks for encouraging, confronting and sharing your words. Also thanks for always hosting #livefreeThursday!
Blessings,
Tayrina from TGAWRites
I ask myself these questions first because they can be hard, Tayrina. You are so right. <3 But they also have the potential to grow and change us in such a beautiful, freeing way. : )
I am so excited for this study and what God is going to do through it, Suzie. And I had never read the message translation of that verse. Love it! So blessed by this beautiful community.
Thank you, Abby. I love it, too. I’m praying that God takes us all deeper into His mission statement of opening our eyes, mending hearts, setting free from oppression, and receiving the good news, and that means that we can then come alongside someone else as they receive the same!
If only we will let go of our “buts”! God has so much more in store for us. That is what the rich young ruler said, too. I don’t want to hold on to my “but”. Thanks for this reminder today, Suzi! Well spoken.
Why we fear letting our awesome God take over our “buts” is beyond me…but…
As I read this, I realize my biggest fear in letting God work through me is that, He won’t. What If I give it all over and God keeps me right where I am because it’s where I’m meant to be? I know we’re to be content in what ever state we’re in…I struggle with this. And I shouldn’t – I watch the news.
I made up my mind to join Compel Training for one year. During this time I plan to write my life story. My hope is that after tracking my journey, to where ever I am when I finish it, God willing, I will finally know who I am in Christ.
I think the thing that holds me back more than anything is the fear that if I truly surrender ALL my *buts* to the Lord, He will let something terrible happen. To test my faith and my resolve to trust Him. I know it’s dumb, but fear really does rule my heart sometimes.
I am still a work in progress. And your words have provided such encouragement to me today. Thank you. (No ifs, ands, or BUTS!!)
GOD BLESS.
Sometimes we need to see how big our “buts” are before we can really get rid of them. This calls me to look for them…look right at ’em in the mirror. And if we allow myself to see what is really there and then be willing to get rid of it. Then we can truly #livefree! I love punny stuff, too btw. This was AWESOME! 😉
No one likes looking at their “buts” in the mirror, right? Yet it helps us to be real with ourselves and to do what we can, with His help, to overcome those buts. <3