Move, You’re in the Way

How many times have you been forcing to make something happen in your own strength? This past Sunday, as the Pastor touched on the Lord’s Prayer, he described a story of a little boy who wanted to help his Daddy move a desk across the room. The father began pushing and the little boy braced his shoulder against the desk, and told his father, “Move, Dad, you’re in the way.” Daddy of course chuckled and obliged his son’s request.

The four-year-old little boy pushed with all his might, but the desk would not move.

Have you been there? You’re working on a project with God, you know He’s got your back, but the timing is moving too slow. Maybe it’s not moving in the direction you wanted. You’ve told God, “Move out of the way, buddy, I got it,” only to realize that when God steps back and says, “Have it your way,” you find that life isn’t moving anywhere?

I’ve been there, in more ways than one. I was there for two years trying to get pregnant. I was there trying to make a career in management work. I was there when I was trying to avoid all charges of a felony offense. I was there when I was trying to make my marriage work.

In case you haven’t noticed, I tend to be a stubborn learner, with an education through the school of hard knocks. I’ve learned that unless I’m walking side by side with God, life doesn’t move. If I run ahead of God, I’m pushing that desk all by myself. It’s not until we invite God into our lives that His strength begins being poured into us–when we say, “God, Your will be done, not mine. Walk with me, Lord, through this journey, show me Your way, and help me. I surrender.”

Yeah, I know what you’re saying: Surrender, that’s a big word and huge effort. Surrendering doesn’t mean we become powerless, it means we become filled with His power. It flows out of His spirit into ours, making the impossible happen.

Whatever ‘desk’ you happen to be moving, invite God into your struggle; ask Him for help. You’ll be amazed how quickly He moves. It reminds me of one of my favorite scripture verses:

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Philippians 4:13, Amplified Bible