Monday, October 22, 2012

Foolishness?

I'm so glad that God has a plan for my life, though it’s pretty hard knowing that his way is not my way. I tend to think of myself as somewhat cautious and rather analytical. I like to work stuff out in advance then walk through a plan. That’s the way God made me, so I don’t fight it. But sometimes he speaks and gently suggests a step of faith that defies logic. So a few days ago I had this thing put across my path to make a decision on, and without any real thought found myself engaging. That was no problem as it involved people I am unlikely ever to meet as they live in internet land. So all around the world, and they suffer a similar health problem to myself. A 21 day prayer, fasting, Bible study thing is what it is, with the fasting discipline to be some sort of Daniel fast. Yeah, he’s one of the guys in the Old Testament who went veggie, giving up ‘choice foods’ in order to honour the Lord. So my initial challenge was to choose how to fast. And I immediately struggled with that as I've been living meat-free for a number of years, after the Lord led me that way. So I sort of see that as an extended Daniel fast already, though it’s not a challenge anymore. I enjoy it. Ok, I could go back in time to previous fasts such as no breakfast, no in between meal snacks, no TV, no alcohol. Yes I've done all those things, some of them for years at a time! And currently none of them would be at all sacrificial. Yes the idea is to ‘sacrifice’ something that’s important to show God you’re serious. What to do then? And this is where God’s way of thinking doesn't fit my way. To be honest, I'm hating writing this as I don’t know if I can do what I believe he’s asking, though there’s very little at stake if I fail. He’s asking for my short term health??? Or more precisely he’s asking that I trust him with a particular exercise… my 3 mile walk around Kedleston, every day for 21 days. Can I really trust God with control of my health and commit to such an extended exercise? Always before I've simply stayed home when I've felt ill. That’s what me/cfs demands in order to avoid a more serious relapse. But it wasn’t half muddy today, not that this swan was bothered. Yes it’s a great walk, whatever. And today is day 3…

1 Corinthians 3:19 ‘For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.’ (NLT)

2 comments:

Fiona said...

The "hallel" in hallelujah does not only mean praise, but also to seem or appear foolish. (It also means to give away in marriage. No comment :o) )

I, too, must be totally crazy in what I'm about to do, in fact there are some that will say that I AM nuts. But actually, there's only ONE opinion that I care about. And hey, orders are orders...

David Paine said...

So I believe that integrity is everything and our heart response to God's leading is more important than actually 'getting it right'. Test yes, but never quench the call of the Holy Spirit to lead us onward. He is well able to direct our paths by opening or closing doors of opportunity.