It takes so much out of us at times to really allow God to have His way in our lives. I have found that the hardest lessons of discipline is to submit my will to His. Can you identify?  It is not that easy submitting every plan, every desire, every need to Him when you consider yourself strong and independent and yes, even a “know- it -all” at times.  Nope, not easy at all. I want my way often and I want to prove to others that I got this all together.

God is so in tuned to us than we are to ourselves. Not only is He is so aware of our true potential and the greatness He has placed on the inside of us. He is also aware of our imperfections, yet He still calls us His own. He still prompts us to keep moving in the midst of chaos and trials. He directs us to even bigger feats than we can ever imagine because He sees the heart of a champion on the inside of us.  We, on the other hand only see through dim glasses.

As I write this I am reminded of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs right now, He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli. Here is a brief portion for you to ponder:

Spent today in a conversation In the mirror face to face with Somebody less than perfect I wouldn’t choose me first if I was looking for a champion In fact I’d understand if You picked everyone before me But that’s just not my story True to who You are You saw my heart And made Something out of nothing

I don’t need my name in lights I’m famous in my Father’s eyes Make no mistake He knows my name I’m not living for applause I’m already so adored It’s all His stage He knows my name

It is so refreshing to know that we are loved, forgiven, freed, and known by our Father, even in the midst of our mess ups trying to get it all right in the eyes of everyone else.

I pray that today, you and I will both choose to be humble before our Lord knowing that He knows more about us than we do ourselves. I pray that we will both take the time to humble ourselves before Him and submit to His plans and purposes for the journey ahead. After all, we should only be living for an audience of one. The One that truly knows our name. The One that wrote the days of our lives in His book, even before the foundation of the world. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Father, teach us to humble ourselves before you, knowing and recognizing that you always have our best interest at heart. You have predestined us to succeed. You have woven Your plans and thoughts for us into a much bigger picture than we can even begin to fathom. May we submit wholeheartedly to Your plan for our lives and trust you to bring us to our expected end. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Reflections:Take a long hard look at what is driving you this year. What are your underlying motives and intention for accomplishing the goals you have set for yourself?

© Mary Pinckney, 2014