By Toni Ford
A pastor once asked an old farmer decked out in bib overalls to say grace for the morning breakfast. “Lord, I hate buttermilk,” the farmer began. The visiting pastor opened one eye to glance at the farmer and wonder where this was going. The farmer loudly proclaimed, “Lord, I hate lard.” The pastor was now growing concerned.
Without missing a beat, the farmer continued, “And Lord, you know I don’t much care for raw white flour.” The pastor once again opened an eye to glance around the room and saw that he was not the only one feeling uncomfortable. Then the farmer added, “But Lord, when you mix them all together and bake them, I do love warm fresh biscuits. So, Lord, when things come up that we don’t like, when life gets hard, when we don’t understand what you’re saying to us, help us to just relax and wait until you are done mixing. It will probably be even better than biscuits. Amen.”
Within that prayer there is great wisdom for all when it comes to complicated situations like we are experiencing in the world today. The challenge and word of encouragement for each of us today is to stay strong and keep trusting, because chances are that our Lord is mixing several things that we do not really care for, but something even better is going to come when He is done with it. Amen!
Proverbs 4:25-27. “Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Do not get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” This verse is a great reminder to keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the “individual ingredients,” challenges or struggles in front of us. If we trust Him and surrender to Him, God will work on our behalf, and it will be better than biscuits!
Philippians 4:13,19. “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. And this same God wo takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” How often have we been reminded of this verse when we try to take control over certain situations or fix things that were not ours to fix. Control is often the result of fear and thinking that we can do it better. We are much healthier in all areas of life when we surrender to the Lord and trust Him to guide us in our current situations of life.
Hebrews 12:2. “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.” I am often reminded that life is not a sprint but rather a marathon which takes endurance. I am currently in a situation with life where I am waiting on the Lord to reveal to me my “next steps.”
During this period of waiting, I often get anxious, controlling, frustrated and restless, yet I keep hearing the Lord tell me to “stay the course.” He knows that I know that means keep my eyes on Him and not get distracted by all the unknowns, and that in His perfect time, He will reveal to me what needs to be revealed. So today, I commit to staying the course and keeping my eyes on God!
Thank you, Lord, for taking “individual ingredients,” those challenges of life and the bumps in the journey of life and using them in our lives to make something more beautiful than we could ever imagine. You truly are a good Father, and we choose to release to You today that person or situation that we are holding on to so tightly and trust You to make it into a beautiful masterpiece.
If you would like me to join you in prayer, please e-mail me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!