The Daily Walk

[bluidkiti]

The Daily Walk Part 25 - Praying or Obeying

by Gail Rodgers
Cathy shared with me how she longed for God to intervene in a certain circumstance in her life. She had been waiting and crying and agonizing before God. But she only felt grieved, disappointed and frustrated at the lack of an answer and God’s seeming silence.

Then God spoke to her heart. She read something in the Bible and a fresh realization hit her. These are the words God used to speak to her.

“Dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship”. Romans 12:1

With the sudden clarity that comes when the Holy Spirit sheds his light on the scripture, Cathy knew…as she was pleading with God for an answer to her circumstance, He had been pleading with her to live differently.
She thought about it awhile. God pleading with her! God was waiting for her to present her body as an act of worship to God. How could she do that in a practical way on a busy morning as she headed out the door to work? Just what did it mean?
Cathy remembered God had asked her to do something about a physical habit in her life and she had not bothered. She now recalled how God had been nudging her about her harsh words and critical attitude, but she hung on to it anyway.She knew He wanted her to contact that woman down the hall and have coffee with her but she hadn’t had time. She had been too busy to bother with any of it.
We talked about it later. When we plead with God to do something for us, we expect Him to act. When God pleads with us to give Him ourselves as a living sacrifice, He expects us to act. Yet while we wait for His answer, we seem to believe our part is optional.
Has God asked you to do something that you have pushed to the pack corner of your heart and mind? Are you worshiping Him by offering yourself to Him everyday for His purposes? When God works His purposes out in your life it will bring a fulfillment you never knew possible…because that’s what He created you for! He waits for you.
prayer & reflection

Father God,
Please forgive me for the times when I have been praying yet not obeying. Thank you for reminding me that You plead with me and want me to move ahead in my walk with You. You have more in mind for me than just answering the cry of the circumstance in my life. Today I offer myself afresh to you. Show me the ways in which you want me to adjust my habits, my thinking or my actions. I want to worship you today with my whole life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.