Common Ground with Charlie Brown, Part II

So how do you get over not trusting a perfect heavenly Daddy? Great question. For me, this is a constant work in progress; but from what I have gleaned with my time with Him so far, it is much the same as with any transformation of the heart.

• Repent and share your trust issue with Him. You aren’t telling Him something He doesn’t already know…that part is for your benefit.
• Spend time with Him. Delight yourself in the Lord. This is a discipline that reaps hope and, in time, trust.
• Take your time in His Word. His promises are true even if you don’t see the fruit just yet.
• Remind yourself of all His blessings and seasons you have seen and tasted His goodness and safety. It’s interesting that we have a short memory when it comes to His blessings, yet our memory of lost dreams is vivid and unhindered.
• Remind yourself that what you perceive as lost dreams and hopes, are really the foundation for the future dreams and hopes. Think of Joseph in Genesis 37. 

I wish I could say I instantly started handing the Lord my football with hand-clapping glee. That is my goal. As of this writing, I hand Him my football with obedience, humility, and yes, a watchful eye.

There is grace for human frailty, hallelujah!

“But as for me, I (choose to) trust in you, Oh Lord.

I say, You are my God. My times (footballs) are in your hand.” Ps. 31:14-15

A Missed Opportunity with Destiny?

Disappointment – it litters our lives with potholes. Have you noticed that?

The class you thought you did so well in only to find out that the last test put your grade down a whole letter – pothole.

The job promotion you’d thought you had, only to hear to you didn’t get it – pothole.

A special someone, whom you hoped shared your feelings, only to find out they didn’t – pothole.

Potholes aren’t fatal, but they sure can create pain, frustration, even heartache. Just like stepping into a physical pothole, journey-potholes can cause broken dreams, sprained plans, and misaligned focus.

See – not fatal. Just painful.

Here we thought we had an appointment with destiny; a new career path, a new heart path, a better grade and cheaper car insurance. But our appointment with our planned destiny never happens.

It isn’t fatal, but it’s painful.

Missed appointments are scattered throughout the Bible. Moses had a missed appointment with the promised land. His journey was filled with potholes creating mounting frustration. Eventually, in a fit of frustration and anger, he struck a rock and altered the course of his destiny. Instead of Moses bringing the children of Israel into the promised land, HE entered the Promise Land.

Then there is Joseph, remember him? Left in prison to rot, he thought he had an appointment with favor and destiny, only to be forgotten by a fellow prisoner. He waited, disappointed, thinking he’d been forgotten by the One he served. Eventually, when God’s appointed time came, Joseph was remembered and favor paved the way to his destiny.

David a shepherd boy and poet thought he would take the throne without any loopholes; favor waved like banners around this young boy. Instead, he spent years running for his life from the very man he loved and promised to serve. You could say he dealt with disappointment. But David’s perceived missed appointment groomed him to be a great king.

Disappointments can shape our destiny. So the next time you step into a pothole of disappointment, keep your eyes on the author and finisher of your life. Your journey to your destiny is about to change.