God Isn't a Spiritual Bell Boy, Revised 6/3/16

This is not God. I'm
sorry if you were
 mistaken.

        Recently, I was schooled in a lesson while laboring on a project totally new to me.

        A suitcase of tasks related to it was lugged up the steep stairs of unseeable results.  What I did was foreign and challenging.  But I was confident in seeing this task completed, determined, too.

       Others told me to give up.  Nope.  No can do.  Success requires faith, perseverance.

        Faith is going beyond reason and circum-stances.  When pushing ahead, if we have all outcomes figured out, where's the need for faith?  How can it unfold its wings?

        Besides, working out all the details, before taking a step is being controlling.  Being control-ling is being uncomfortable with what is.  We want to be present.

       Faith is doing what takes faith. Read here, for more about this idea.)

       I don't throw in the towel when circumstances aren't going well. I persevere.  There's much value in being determined.

"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins–not through strength but by perseverance.”                                  – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

        Working on my project, by phone, others were recruited.  Contacts were engaged face-to-face.  All efforts appeared for naught.  The lack of results didn't rattle me.

       What we do or don't achieve does not define us.

     We can be thank-ful  for the free-dom found when we leave our best efforts in God's hands.  It is enough, trusting Him for the results. There is power in persistence. Endur - ance sees its best results when born of prayer, meditation, and faith.  This is Step 11 in Recovery.

       This is connecting with the God of our understanding.

       Seeking God's will.  This is going beyond our abilities.  The outcome is not so sure.

        We rely on a power greater than ourselves.  Seeking God's help, leaning on His resources, is best.  It accomplishes greater works.

      It is best remembering God isn't our spiritual bell boy.

      He doesn't wear a goofy uniform.  His head does not wear a flat topped hat, fitted with a chin strap.  He has his plans for our welfare.  This perspective is the opposite of how  many of us view God.

      He isn't a lackey.  He doesn't respond to the plans we impose on Him.  He has more majesty than any king, queen or emperor in this world. 

      We know bellboys.  They work at hotels.   We tell them what to do.  They tote our luggage, hoping for a tip.

      God isn't bossed around.

      Snapping our fingers, saying, "God, this is what I want you to do (you name it). Now, bless my efforts.  Give me what I want!" is not how He relates with us.

      God honors the humble, not the arrogant.

      Better is asking for His guidance.  We commit our ways to Him.  We let God establish the plans for our lives.  "Commit your ways to the Lord and your plans shall be established."  Proverbs 6:3. 

      Here's a quote that shines on this subject:

Remember that asking our Higher Power for help does not mean asking for specific results---that is asking God to execute [perform---not kill] our will!  Turning our will and our lives over to God means that we put the outcome in God's hands.   Paths to Recovery, Al-Anon's Steps, Traditions,  and Concepts, Virginia Beach, VA: (1997). 29, Print.

      Well, today it happened.  The results regarding my efforts and faith arrived.  It was lovely.

      The  route to success was unexpected.  Basking in a vision fulfilled nourishes the soul.  It gives hope.  Seeing God work in our lives strengthens our resolve the next time we confront a problem.

       God's humor was displayed as the vi-sion unfolded.  The payoff for my efforts was rewarding. Things work out better when I "do the next right thing."  And then rest, in his power, trusting Him for the outcome.

        Getting out of the way was more productive.  Life is less intense, with fewer worries.

         One of the persons who prompted me to quit----when I struggled with this project----was with me tonight. When the glorious outcome was unveiled; she was speechless.  Little faith, produces small results. "According to your faith be it unto you," a spiritual leader, once said.

         Operating from God's point of view broadens life's possibilities. Big faith allows God to work.  When unfettered by negativity, fear, or a limited perspective, much can happen.

         Exercising faith lets God unleash His power.  It is humbling, remembering reality or results are not limited to our senses, how we figure things out.  They are not dependent upon our abilities.

         Results are independent of our logic. Thank God for this fact.  Literally.

         It's satisfying knowing, at the cellular level----not just cognitively----there's only one God and we are not Him.  God and us make a powerful team. This partner-ship enables us to see results beyond our wildest dreams.

        When living by faith, we are unshackled from the limited resources of operating by our strength alone.  Confusion and apprehension and our weaknesses are placed in God's hands.  That's our best option.

        Worry avails little.  Yes, it provides a pseudo sense of control.  But it is still fake.  It is like a rocking chair.  It  gives us something to do but it gets us no where.

        When we think we are in charge of circumstances, it is important seeing this perspective for what it is.  An illusion.  When we believe we have everything under control, we don't.

        Growth transpires when we realize we are powerless over all the nouns and pronouns in our life: people, places and things.  (Paths, p 13)

        Living with humility, seeing that much is out of our hands helps us sleep better.  We will be happier, worry less.  We become easier for others to relate with.  We make sure a "we" is left standing in our interactions with others. 

        Faith right-sizes us.  It reminds us it is best, depending on God.  Outcomes are uncertain.  It is best discovering them, when connecting with others.

       Faith promotes an Attitude of Gratitude.   We find relief.  We discover the comfort that we are not alone during trying times.

        Our manipulations only make others angry with us.  They create distance and distrust.

        Applying faith, we no longer rely on our resources alone.  The heavy luggage carried up the stairs of our concerns no longer rests upon our shoulders, but His.

How About You? 
How is your connection with God?  Where would you like it to be?  How do you define the God of your understanding?