Frank Sinatra’s song “I Did It My Way,” never fails to get us in trouble.
Imagine a private in the Army usurping authority to attack the enemy from another direction because he had a better idea than his commander. Or children disobeying their parents because they knew more than their parents. Or an employee who approves an invoice without running it by the boss.
We all have “Lords” in our lives, even landlords who expect rent to be paid every month.
When Jesus taught the famous “Lord’s Prayer,” there’s a line that says, “Thy will be done,” which supposes that we get in alignment with whatever God, the ultimate Lord, wants to do. But so often, we say that line and think it means “my will be done.”
The “God helps those who help themselves” baloney puts man in the driver’s seat, leaving little or no room for faith in the Lord of all.
Bible commentator Bill MacDonald writes, “The life of faith always pleases God; He loves to be trusted … faith is the only thing that gives God His proper place and puts man in his place too … it proves that we have more confidence in His eyesight than in our own.”
When I decided to follow Jesus Christ, I made him Lord of my life. Sure, I overstep the chain of command at times, but I’ve learned that He is more powerful, more loving and more interested in my welfare than I will ever be.
If I claim that Jesus is Lord, then why do I live as though I AM?
In the Old Testament, God calls Himself “I AM,” and man has been trying to take that title from Him ever since — thus setting up the conflict of the ages, namely, “I WILL’ (man) versus “I AM” (God).
The litmus test of who is Lord of your life comes back to that line in the Lord’s Prayer.
Do I approach God daily saying, “Thy will be done,” or do I keep Him at arm’s length by living as though He doesn’t exist? Do I have a white-knuckle grasp on my possessions, plans and dreams? Or do I keep a light grip on them, ready to let go the instant God says so?
The beautiful thing about our commander, or Lord, in heaven, is He actually does want to provide for our needs, even our desires. But like a good parent, He cannot deliver every request, like a Jesus Genie, because He knows better.
He knows our heart and our motives. In fact, He knows all.
Yet, God still invites us to ask Him for anything. James once said, as written in James 4:2-3, “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.”
The critical ingredient is explained in Hebrews 11:6:
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.”
The key is not the amount of faith, but the object of that faith. Is the object of my faith ME? Am I doing it “my way?”
Or am I coming to God, not only believing that He exists, but in the firm belief that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him?
Ever wonder why there was perpetual conflict between the Jews of the Old Testament and Almighty God? Simple … Memory loss.
Despite being delivered from Egypt, being sustained in the desert, and being led by a towering pillar of smoke by day and fire by night, they forgot God’s handiwork and only a handful ended up in the promised land. What more did God need to do to prove His faithfulness?
Even Christ’s most faithful followers forgot who the Lord is.
They witnessed Christ feed 5,000 men on one occasion (with 12 baskets of leftovers) and when later confronted with another crowd of 4,000 men, they still said, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?” Duh!
Can you imagine the deep sigh coming from Jesus at such unbelief from His closest followers … again? The supplier of all human needs stood in their midst, performing one miracle after another, and yet His followers were looking elsewhere for help.
Let me suggest going into business with God as your CEO. In Proverbs 3:5-6, He offered this life-changing promise if you choose Thy will instead of my will: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
The next time you hear yourself think, “I can do this on my own,” maybe it will be time to check that thought by remembering who God is, and what He has done and can do. Then, ask the Lord of your life for help.
Pray about it FIRST, put it on God’s desk, then have faith for an answer before doing anything about it. THEN if you get the thing desired, thank God for it. And if you don’t get it, thank God for saving you from another bad decision.
“I’d rather walk in the dark with God
Than walk alone in the light;
I’d rather walk by faith with Him
Than to walk alone by sight.”
— Helen Annis Casterline
— D.C. Collier is a Bible teacher, discipleship mentor and writer focused on Christian apologetics. A mechanical engineer and internet entrepreneur, he is the author of My Origin, My Destiny, a book focused on Christianity’s basic “value proposition.” Click here for more information, or contact him at don@peervalue.com. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.