When I think of God, I often dwell on the miraculous things He did in the Old Testament. It’s easy for me to think, “God is so huge, so omniscient (all knowing), so powerful, and so busy; he can’t possibly be concerned about every minute detail of my life.”

It’s unfortunate that often times in my own life I pray most diligently when something is literally “wrong,” and I’m praying to God to fix it soon – in my timing.

If you’re like me, there are areas of your life you have difficulty giving over to an invisible God. I think you’d agree that sometimes simply allowing an invisible God to work His way in a real life situation can be scary! Will He answer in the way I hope? Should I just make it happen and ask God to forgive me later? Should I make it happen and assume because it did work out, it was God’s will all along?

In my own life, I’m learning the same lesson(s) over and over again because I need to give God the authority over my life in all areas – thank God he helps us learn out of love, and to make us better people. It’s the journey that matters in the long run, and the corrective steps taken that make all the difference!

Although it’s easy to give God the big troubles in life, we need to rely upon Him for the small things too! Consider these two stories: 1. Car stuck in the mud 2. Looking for the second lamp

God wants to be intimate with us. In fact, our relationship with Him should be the most personal of all our relationships! You may be asking, “How can I have a closer relationship with God than to my spouse, or my parents, or my best friend, or my gold fish?”

As we turn over areas of our life to Him, He blesses us. Probably not with silver or gold, but with patience, peace, wisdom, discernment… Consider these verses, and how they relate to God’s love and willingness to be personal and intimate with us. How do the verses portray the differences between our relationship with God and our closest friends, or our family?

Isaiah 40:27 – 31:

Why do you ask, Jacob, why do you ask, oh Israel, The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me, my God is not concerned with my life? (28) Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an Eternal God, the creator of the whole Earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to His wisdom. (29) He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy. (30)Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble. (31) But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they will rise up on the wings of an eagle, they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not grow feint.

Matthew 11:28 – 30:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.

A yoke is a “harness” of sorts joining two animals together to pull something.

In martial arts, as in life, there will be challenges that seem insurmountable. A form is too long or difficult to remember, or the one-steps never end…Whatever it may be in this class, or in life – give God those “stuck in the mud” moments and allow Him to help you through it. Don’t ever give up. Rely on Him, not on your own understanding!

Philippians 4:13:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.