This summer has been the soggiest that I can remember in Colorado. Cloudy day, after cloudy day. This is not a complaint. Not in the slightest as I have been one of hundreds, I am sure, that have been praying for the much needed condensation. However, it started a train of thoughts for me. The beginning of my "thought train" began with the rainiest day last Saturday. I was driving down to Lakewood from Evergreen under black skies and buckets of rain.
As I made it onto the highway I realized that the rain was coming down so hard that the ground couldn't handle the moisture and drainage systems were getting backed up. I decided it would be a safer journey to take side roads. Until I realized that the side roads were turning into small rivers, and lakes in some cases. At one point I had to turn around for fear of flooding my engine. (Yeah, I saw that "how to" video on driving in flood conditions. . .) So I headed in another direction only to run into a small pond. It was starting to get rather ridiculous, and I was frustrated. But then I had a thought. "Isn't this storm so analogous to our lives and the "blessings", dreams, and hopes that we pray for everyday?"
Here's the rest of that thought. We as Christians pray for a LOT of things. We pray for safety, for health, for relationships, for jobs, for direction, for family, etc. There are as many prayer requests as there are people breathing. Here's the thing though. Does a farmer pray for rain if they haven't plowed and seeded their field? Does a business owner open their store without first hiring employees, an accountant, stocking the shelves, making sure there's enough parking, double checking the lease, and taking out loans? Does a couple about to have a baby just "wing it". No baby room preparation, no diapers stored under the new crib, no baby shower, and no checking their health insurance options? Never. Like the rain, that Colorado is in desperate need of, we sometimes ask for things that we are not prepared to receive. Like sewers that are not sufficient, and flooded streets, we could be asking for difficulties, not blessings.
Now it's not a perfect analogy because there are always unforeseen elements in effect with "acts of God." Therefore, there will always be things that we cannot accurately prepare for. However, this is my point. What are you praying for that you are not even remotely ready to receive into your life should it come? And is it possible that God is withholding this gift from you? NOT because He doesn't love you, and NOT because He doesn't WANT to give it to you, but because He knows that if He does it will cause more harm than good. Like silt clogging the sewers. Small boulders blocking the road. And tiny lakes that you can't drive through. To bring it more into perspective let's use some human examples.
For instance, are you praying for a job? But you're looking for jobs that you are honestly not qualified for? Are you praying for a relationship? (Which chances are, if you're single, you are at this very moment.) Are you spiritually ready for that relationship? Is your "marriage skill set" up to par? Can you cook? Are you orderly? Will you, without complaint, do the dirty things that need to be done to run a house? Is balancing the house budget in your skill set? I could go on, you get the picture. Are you praying for ministry opportunities? But you still allow pride to rule your heart and motives? Can you be submissive? Have you cultivated a servant's heart? Have you been faithful with the little things? I'll say it again, don't pray for rain if you haven't prepped your fields. Or like scripture says, "A man reaps what He sows." (Galatians 6:7) I'd like to add, or doesn't reap what he doesn't sow. To pray for rain without preparation is a waste of good water, AND you'll be plowing a field that has turned to part clay and part swamp. If you can still plow at all.
Once again, this is a thought train that applies to ME first. I only blog about things that convict my heart. Things that the Lord is revealing to me in my own life. So I have been evaluating the "fields" in my life and wondering if they're ready for God's merciful blessings or not. Be honest with yourself. It then makes waiting a little easier too, because you begin to see the waiting as a blessing, and you have time to identify those "rocks" that need to be removed, or you simply have more time to plow and plant.
As a final example, and I will let this stand as the "caboose" to this thought train, King Saul and King David. Israel cried out for a "king." For reasons that were, let's just say, shallow and rebellious. So God finally relented, and tells Samuel to give them what they want. And who was selected? Saul. A man that was NOT after God's own heart and you can read The Kings and The Chronicles for all the details. Saul ended up dragging Israel through the dirt. When, if they had waited a little longer, God would have given them David: "A man after God's own heart." Then ultimately Jesus, who was the plan all along. What I am saying is, don't ask for something wrong or ill timed, for so long that God gives you what you want, not to bless you, but to discipline you. Turning your blessing into a curse. Your drought ending rain into flooding rivers.
Wait on the Lord. His timing is perfect. When you are patient you can expect blessing. In the mean time, what fields of yours need tending to?
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