Where’s the Devo?
By Lexi Ellis
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to
figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s
the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.”
Proverbs 3:5-7 (The
Message)
Everything was ready…Bible opened, a new Word document, the
apartment to myself, phone on silent. For the next hour, my objective was
clear: it's devo-writing time! One idea started and I typed. About halfway
through, it wasn’t working too well. I saved it for later. New document 2…I
started typing and didn’t even bother saving it.
I paused. Lord! Really? I’m here, I’ve asked. I believe
Your Word when it says, “Ask and you shall receive.” I’m giving you this time.
Where’s the devo?
As I type it now, my prayer seems so childish. Unfortunately
though, we often tell God what we expect Him to do. Even if it was
well-intentioned, my attitude of semi-demanding that God do what I want isn’t
how this relationship was created to be.
As I thought about it, I realized this issue goes beyond my
ministry. We often tell God how we want Him to handle a certain situation - -
wrapped as a “request” - - while, in reality, we’ve laid out our entire roadmap
for Him. How silly! God doesn’t really need our advice, and I think we’d all
agree He’s got everything under control. And yet, I sometimes find myself in
situations when I think ahead and, rather than trusting He’s got it all figured
out, I let Him know exactly how I want the ending.
The problem is we end up removing the trust component necessary
for a relationship. I think of Jesus’ words to the Father, “not my will but
yours.” (Luke 22:42,
ESV) What would my relationship with God look like if I truly meant that? What
things could He reveal to me if I’m teachable and moldable? How do I need to
give up my control and my endings to allow Him to work in my life?
The Holy Spirit convicted me of my wrong thinking and asked me
to spend time just being in relationship with Him, not necessarily with my end
goal. That time, without the agenda of getting a devo out of it, was exactly
what I needed. Where’s the devo? Well, not exactly in my own timing, but
ironically He revealed it to me after I was willing to spend time alone with
Him.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Are there things you’re telling God how to fix rather
continually trusting Him?
2. Take the challenge! Choose to make time alone with God today
just to be in relationship, without any other agendas.
GOING FURTHER:
Lexi and her
husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade
at Silver Lake Intermediate School. Lexi serves with Children’s Ministries and
is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
