Ya'll, it's been hot here lately. We've had a few days of what I affectionately called "ridiculously stupid hot." What we've experienced, however, is on par for this time of year. Here lately, we've even seen little to no rain, which is concerning. I've always thought it to be pretty funny how each season tends to bring some days and times of "extremeness," (whether it's high temperatures or very low temperatures, and everything else we experience weather-wise) and we sometimes react in ways in which you'd think we had never experienced these things just the year before. The first cold day of winter, and we say things like, "I can't believe how cold it's gotten outside." or in the middle of July and we say "I can't believe how hot it is!" (I'm guilty of saying these things as well) I mean, unless it's 34 degrees in the middle of July, we shouldn't be surprised with the weather in July. But, here we are, trying to endure the extremely high temperatures until the extremely low ones show up again. Is it just me or does it sound like we spend quite a bit of time just "enduring" things? That brings me to think about our walk of faith as Christians. I firmly believe there are many times in our walk in which we wander in the desert of fear and worry, and go without seeing our Heavenly Father's provision, because we simply don't go to Him with our needs. In one hand, we shouldn't be surprised when we trials seem to just show up at our door. Jesus even told us to expect them. And, in the other hand, we seemingly forget to go to Him with our burdens. We just carry them around, hoping things will just change while we endure them. This season of drought we've seen in our area has been a great concern for farmers and many others. But, when it hasn't rained for a while, and crops are in danger, we have instinctively prayed for rain. And, as I write this, He answered those prayers this week. Did God know it hadn't rained for a while? Of course He did. Was He waiting for His children to ask for rain? I can't say, but I know He's a good father that loves to answer prayer! Today, I pray that as we live this life that God has graciously given us, and we encounter a need, whether large or small, going to God in prayer is the very first thing we do. I pray that it becomes as second nature as a Christian farmer needing rain in the middle of a drought. We know that God is the One that controls the weather, so we go to Him in our dry seasons. Christian, God is also in control of everything else as well. I want to close with an excerpt from "My Upmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. Brothers and sisters, don't go without simply because you don't ask in prayer.
"Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those who have his Spirit. Through the simple argument of these verses, he urges us to keep our minds filled with the idea of God’s control behind everything, which means that the disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and to seek. Jesus wants us to learn this way of reasoning: “God is my Father. He loves me. I will never think of anything he will forget. Why should I worry?”
Fix your mind on the idea that God is there. Once your thoughts are settled on this line, it becomes as easy as breathing to recall that your heavenly Father is behind everything that happens. Even when perplexities and difficulties press in on you, remembering the “much more” of your Father comes naturally and without effort. Before when troubles arose, you sought help from other people. Now, the notion of divine control is so powerfully formed in your mind that you go directly to God.
There will always be moments when God’s guidance is not at all obvious, moments when he does not lift the darkness. But trust him. Jesus said that God will appear at times like an unkind friend, but he is not (Luke 11:5–8). He will appear at times like an unnatural father, but he is not (vv. 9–13). He will appear at times like an unjust judge, but he is not (18:1–8). Keep the idea strong and growing in your mind that nothing happens unless God wills it. Rest in perfect confidence in him and learn to pray from this place of certainty. Prayer is not only asking; it is cultivating the frame of mind in which asking is perfectly natural. 'Ask and it will be given to you.'"
-Brandon Walker