"Amateur Providences"

I am a big fan of Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost For His Highest".  No one says more in less sentences, in my opinion at least.

I will never forget reading in it a selection that he entitled "Amateur Providences".  He talked about how we can try to help people BEYOND what God is wanting us to do in that person's life, thus subverting God's way to mature them by allowing them room to live with the consequences of their choices.

We without realizing it, can set ourselves up as "Little Holy Spirits", carrying the burden of other's lives that God has not called us to carry. 

People make choices.  We have to give them room to make them, whether we consider those choices good or bad.

A case in point:  For many years, I would obsess over who was or wasnt at church on a given Sunday.  I would make calls on Monday, basically 'chasing after people'. 

One day it dawned on me:  "People do what they WANT to do.  If they dont value being in church enough to be there, my call wont change their heart.  If they DO value being in church, they will make whatever efforts to be there."

As regards the above, people make a decision every Sunday.  I'm not responsible for that, nor any other decision.  I cant carry the 'weight' of other people's decisions every week.  It's too much. 

My heart may ache for them out of love, but they have to make and live with their choices and I have to let that happen. 

I cant always step in like a "little God".

Im not sure that makes sense, but I know for me, it was a big relief.  Last night I was thinking about people I havent seen in a few weeks, wondering.  The difference between 5 years ago and today is that I now commit them to their Lord, knowing HE will work with them.  I dont carry the burden anymore for their choices.

People do what they WANT to do.  Its that simple. 

I am not God.  I am not called to be an "amateur Providence", ie, '2nd Holy Spirit'.  I can pray.  I can listen.  I can obey.  But I cant change people's "wanter". 

Again, people will do those things they value most...the things they WANT to do.

A thought to mess with your day at least....!  :)

Grace,

PB

Comments

[Nikki]

oops, 24th March, not April!

[Nikki]

I just read that page today in "My Utmost for His Highest"!! 24th April. It was TOTALLY an answer to prayer for me about how to handle a certain situation - very apt and timely.

[Honoray]

Pastor B.

You gonna make me pull out my old copy of that book. That was an awesome book for me a few years ago. I was copying pages for people at work and school. Cool Post and an on time reminder to get back into that book.

Blessings Brother,
Honoray

[jamesie]

a long time ago, you frequently used to say "their want-to just doesn't want-to enough." that still makes sense to me today, when i don't understand why people choose not to do what they ought to. but your revelation today helps me understand my role better. it's a pretty good reminder. thanks!

[brandi]

great post Bobby!!!!

[Vicky]

Man do I roger you on that or what! Thanks for that reminder.