When I did this last weekend, trying to explain a decision my husband and I have made for our family, I realized that the person I was talking to thought I was wrong (or crazy). It was evident by her reply and her constantly giving me reasons NOT to do what I know I'm supposed to do that I knew I was not making headway with this conversation. In my mind, I had failed in giving solid reasons for my decision.
Then I genuinely felt the Lord speak to me. "It is not your job to explain to anyone why you do what I've called you to do. You are to be obedient to Me." I also felt this scripture running through my mind over and over: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8
That scripture is interesting to me because even when I feel like my thoughts or my ways ARE His ways, I tend to want to explain to others WHY. And the bottom line is...they might not get it. Because His ways are not always explainable to others. They don't have to be.
I'm learning that to do what He asks sometimes causes others to question me. And what I'm also learning is this: those who truly care about me and know that Josh and I seek to follow what the Lord asks of us will not question us. Instead, they will pray for us or encourage us. They will ask how they can help and they seek to be a blessing, not a spiritual deterrent.
Now if I tell you we are going to buy a new BMW...you can question me on that! :o)
8 comments:
I can completely relate. I think for me, it's about wanting them to accept me and my decisions. You are right though, if God tells us to make certain decisions then it doesn't matter what other people think about it or us. Thanks for writing this... it is a great reminder for me!
It is possible they will see later what you see now. You are right...there is no explaining to do when it comes from God. Be encouraged my friend! You can never go wrong by following the Lord's leading for your family....whether it makes sense to others or not.
So when do we get a clue what the decision is that you've made for your family???
I didn't know BMW makes mini vans! Haha.
Well said. I realized near the end of my senior thesis this semester that my topic was all about me learning why I am the woman I am and finding a way to explain that to others. I also realized by the end that although I found a way to support it with scholarly research and ace the project, the reasons I do the things I do are because the Lord asks me to. It is that simple, which sometimes makes it that much harder to explain it to others who do not have your testimony.
Oh it's so hard when others are questioning and critical just to say 'whatever' to them and remember that the only opinion that matters is the Lord's. That's so tough sometimes. :)
I definitely understand and relate. I've always been an "over-explainer". Just in the last several months I have had friends do the exact same thing when it comes to what we feel God leading us to do for Brody, and I try to over-explain everything only to be frustrated in the end because they don't get it (and seemingly never will). Thanks for reminding me to just follow God and know that others may not fully get it and that it's ok. But, in the same way, it's also a nice reminder that when I don't fully understand why my friends do something, I also shouldn't question them if they feel it's what God wants them to do, and if it's what they think is best for their family. That's something we all need to be reminded about.... ;-)
Love the blog cant wait to read more.
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