4 minute read
[CLICK HERE to get oriented to this metaphor via Doubles Tennis Pt. I]
Last week, I wrote about how facing challenges in life is kind of like playing double tennis with God as your partner.
Most of us have the tendency to muscle over and dive in front of God, taking care of things ourselves.
And, seen objectively, that’s a pretty crazy (insane, silly) thing to do.
He’s God after all.
Many of us need to learn to let God and let God take care of things.
But I don’t think that’s the full picture.
I don’t think we’re meant to sit on the sidelines of life, feet kicked up on the bench, sipping Gatorade saying, “Attaboy, God! Nice forehand!”
Often, I think we’re meant to play a part, too.
It’s just not meant to be one (I do it all) or the other (God does it all).
I think God wants us playing together—in concert, in collaboration, complementarily.
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So, what does it look like to trust God first… while also seeing how we fit into the game plan?
I think it’s a three-step process. But this process isn’t something we just do once. I think it’s one that we may have to do over and over again… maybe monthly… maybe weekly… heck, maybe even daily.
The steps are: pray, listen, and (perhaps) act.
Pray, listen, and (perhaps) act
Step 1: Pray.
When I’m facing a challenge (something standing in the way of something good God has for me or the the people around me), my first response should always be to pray. Prayer is simpler than it may seem, though. It’s not all “thee” and “thou” and “Oh Lord, wouldst thou….” That’s holy-moly word roly-poly.
Instead, I think we’re just supposed to be blunt and honest. “God… I don’t like this stuff going on. And I don’t think you like it either. It seems like this challenge needs to be faced down. So, instead of thinking of how I’d handle it first, I want to hand it over to you. Will you do what only you can do? Will you take this on in a way I can’t? You’re God, I’m not. And I trust that you can—and want to—do more than I’m imagining. Will you save the day here?”
That’s not a hard prayer, is it? It’s pretty straightforward without pretense or posturing.
Step 2: Listen.
Here’s where you open up to the possibility that God might want you to take part in what’s meant to happen.
“God, what do you want me to do in this? What’s my part to play? Is there one? If so, let me know what it is.”
This part’s tricky because we all have these natural propensities inside of us. We either default to, “I’ll take care of it myself!” or “I’m not doing a thing. I’m either powerless or afraid.”
It’s important that after we ask God what we’re supposed to do—if anything—that we try to hold back our natural tendencies and really, truly listen.
I think we can categorize God’s responses in one of three ways:
“No. Thanks for asking, but… no. Don’t do anything. Just keep praying. I’m on it.”
“No. Not right now. But there may come a time soon. For now, I want you to be patient.”
“Yes, I have something specific in mind for you to do… and here’s what it is…”
Those first two are hard because they require a lot of trust… and a lot of patience. Someone wrote me this week asking, “How long do you wait until you help solve the problem?” It’s a great question. Of course, there’s no real clearcut answer… but the deeper answer is waiting by faith. And trusting. Even if it’s taking a long, long time for God to move. But, that doesn’t mean you don’t keep asking, “Hey God… you sure there’s nothing you want me to do on my end?” It’s okay to ask that. We just can’t wrestle control from God when things aren’t happening when or how we expect them to happen.
The third one’s tough because… well… you want to hear clearly from God what your part actually is.
One thing to note on that third one: sometimes God will tell us to do things that may not be what you’re expecting.
For instance…
You pray: “God, my marriage is hard. We’re at odds with each other. Will you make my spouse more kind and considerate?”
Then, you pray, “And, God… am I supposed to do something about it… or just let you take care of things?”
Then, you sense God telling you: “I hear you and I want you to do something…”
Well, of course you’re thinking, “I know what it is! To tell my spouse they’re being an insensitive goofus who needs to figure out how to be kind and thoughtful and—“
And then God goes, “I want you to quietly listen to your spouse… and go out of your way to serve them.”
Probably not what you wanted to hear… but, well, He’s God… and He knows how best to hit the ball, right?
Step 3: Act.
This is… obedience. It’s when you actually do the thing(s) God’s told you to do.
Again, what He tells you may not be easy… but keep in mind: it’s good.
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Why is God like this? Why doesn’t He just take care of things all on His end?
I think it’s because of two reasons: God wants to grow us as humans… and He loves us.
God’s maturing each of us inasmuch as we’ll let Him. When we pray and trust and listen and act… we give Him all sorts of opportunities to craft our character and make us more and more like Jesus.
And, again, He loves us. He really does. And just like I like doing little projects with my daughters around the house… God wants to face challenges with us (not just for us). God loves relationship with His children… and He wants that relationship to be participative.
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So, where are you at with this?
Is it hard for you to trust God when He says, “I got it, pal… just let me take care of it”?
Is it hard for you when God says, “I want you to act… and do something you may not naturally want to do?”
If either of those are hard for you (like they are for me), I encourage you to think about—dwell on, meditate upon—God’s constant, unswerving, unending love for you.
When you get your heart full of His goodness, kindness, gentleness, and unlimited care… it becomes a bit easier to lean into Him and how He wants to face challenges on your behalf… or with you, right there by His side.
May you know the goodness of God today and the joy of living out a participative relationship with Him….