As a young convert, I struggled with writing God a blank check. “What if he makes me a taxi driver in some ramshackle city?” I thought, full of childish self-importance. He didn’t. He used the gifts he’d given me, rather than those he’d given someone else (God is sensible that way). But not until I’d given those gifts back to him, and said, “Here, Lord, make me a taxi driver in whatever city you want. As long you’re with me, that’s all that matters.”
“I do not consecrate myself to be a missionary or a preacher. I consecrate myself to God to do his will where I am, be it in school, office, or kitchen, or wherever he may, in his wisdom, send me.” ~Watchman Nee
Taxi drivers sure have stories to tell. . . .
True! My sister and I were in Las Vegas for a few days, and every time we took an Uber somewhere, I would ask the driver, “What’s the weirdest, most interesting thing you’ve ever experienced driving an Uber?” The stories we heard —!
It’s so true. God has given me talents and whenever I go against that, accepting something more “stable” and “normal” — it backfires. Friends–and my husband– have told me that God is trying to “tell me something.” So I stopped doing anything that isn’t creative. When you have Faith, it’s amazing what comes to you!! I’m now prospering strictly on things I am good at!! 🙂
Good! And good to meet you, Maryanne.
There’s also something about self-acceptance – accepting both the gifts and I have and the gifts I don’t have.
We sing a song at church that includes the lines:
‘So easy to desire what others have
Instead of seeing all the gifts that you have given me.’
True indeed, Malcolm.
This made me think of one of my favorites…Proverbs 3:6 – In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
This is beautiful.
I drove a Yellow Cab for a few weeks when I was in my twenties. This was in the city of Houston, long before the days of cell phones and Google Earth. I kept getting lost. I quit the day that a blind man, wearing dark glasses and carrying a white cane, gave me the turn by turn directions to his destination.
Still, useful as a life lesson if nothing else, right?
Oh yes. For one thing, it gave me a deep compassion for cab drivers.
The blind leading the lost? 😉
;>)
Annie! You just made me LLOL. (That’s literally laugh out loud, as I have recently learned.) 😀
LLOL – a new one for my vocabulary list. 😉
Well done. Short and perfectly sweet. Every day, I too, must listen for that soft and sweet voice who guides me on the path he loves.
Love this, “Here, Lord, make me a taxi driver in whatever city you want. As long you’re with me, that’s all that matters.” 😭
Yes, so help me to be used where I am for His purpose.
I love this! It’s a lesson I’m still in the process of embracing. Thanks for sharing.
My privilege, Girl of Steel!
This is so true and on target. It reminds me of something Francis Chan write about in his book on the Holy Spirit. He said that most of us want to know the big picture of God’s will for our lives, but that it is more important to hear and follow God’s will in every moment. When we string a lot of those moments together, we end up with a life of following God’s unique will for us. Or something like that.
Yes!
Mitch, this is so true, when we are willing to let go and follow God wherever He leads us then all becomes settled and right. The simple yet hard truth–trust and obey results in contentment.
Watchman Nee is one of my favorite authors and had quite an interesting life! So quotable.
He is indeed.
LOVE THIS!
Thank you, Heidi.
Also a good reminder that it is OK to say “No” when people want you to do a job or ministry for which God has not equipped you. A lot of people get burned out that way.
Amen, Michael. I used to get burned out and sick every Christmas, until I learned to say “no.” The first time I did it, the person asking me was so shocked she was speechless. 😉
Mitch, there was a time when I was in prayer (the “Temple Prayer”) and toward the end knew beyond a doubt that I was in the “Holy of Holies.” I could feel the presence of God as the wind blew through the strings of my harp, making them all vibrate at once. (A unique, other-worldly sound) I remember thinking, “I am in the presence of God! I can ask Him anything I want, and He’ll do it for me!” At that moment all I could think of was, “Lord, please…. PPLEASE, make me whatever You want me to be, that’s all I want!”
(Since then I’ve thought of a lot of things I could have asked for – >D-oh!< – but at the moment of surrender, that's the only prayer I could think of.)
Funny how God’s presence tends to have that effect, Annie.
Fantastic photo ❤️
Reblogged this on Stories of Hope and commented:
http://www.beyondthezonespirit.wordpress.com
God Helps Those Who help themselves
https://avcjblog.com/god-help-those-who-help-themselves/