Obedience and Sacrifice

Today for my devotions I read through Romans 11 and it completely shook me. It was not some new theological revelation or ground-breaking Scriptural discovery... it was simply a call. It was a call to actually live out what I say I believe.

Romans 11:33-35 (NASB) says, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again?"

I have been a Christian for a while now and ever since I became a Christian I've understood that God is smarter than me and He knows better, so when I read this in my devotions, I thought, "Well of course You are wise and knowledgeable." But as I really began to meditate on it I realized that as much as I know it and proclaim to believe in it, I don't live my life as if I do. Belief is not just a mindset but rather a way of thinking that requires action. If I truly believe it, then people should see that I do by how I live my life, not by me saying that I believe in it.

In theory, it is so easy to say, "Yes God!! Of course I believe that You know better than I do," but when I apply it practically to my life and say, "Okay if I truly believe it then I'm going to obey Him when He tells me to do ______ when my heart wants to do _______. " I am currently in a situation now where God has called me to give up something. It is not a sin issue but it is something very close to my heart that can distract me from what God has for me in this season and in this internship. Now here's where the Word becomes alive and real. Am I going to hold on to this and disobey and not give what God has called me to give up for this season because I am prideful and I think I know what is best? Or am I going to trust in Him knowing that He foresees the future and actually live out my belief that His ways are unfathomable and His judgments unsearchable? Easy to say "Yes" in theory but oh so hard to follow practically.

God, I will obey and I will trust. I will trust that You know what is best. I will trust that You know better than me. I will trust that You have my best in mind. I lay down my pride and humbly accept Your plan for my life wherever it leads me.