Which Answer Do You Want?

• I've had one of those days where I have been on one phone call after another. I've spent most of the past 4 hours talking with one person or another, but I have to write about one call I received today. First, to the person who made this call, I don't post this to embarrass you and I pray you will not take it that way. No one will know who made the call, so if you don't tell them, no one will know it was you. Cool?

Anyway...

This person calls me and asked, very seriously, "Pastor, just when do I stop going to the doctors about (this situation) and just trust God? I laughed and said, "Do you want the answer to make you feel good, or do you want the truth?" They said they wanted the truth, and I said, "Don't you think it would be best to trust God from the beginning?" We laughed and talked about this a bit more, but the point has not left my mind. Why is it we exhaust all options before we finally come to the place where we are ready to give our situations and problems to the Lord? We are invited in the Word to cast all our cares upon the Lord. Notice that little word "ALL". He did not say, "Just the ones that you cannot handle" but rather, it says ALL. There is a song that the Deperation Band sings that I really love, called "Ready Now." It talks about finally being ready to surrender completely to the Lord, that we are "ready" for the Lord to do what He wills in our life. (If you don't know the song, click on this link www.myspace.com/dawghowse and you can give it a listen.)

This person calling me might be a little embarrassed, but they should not, at least not any more than the rest of us; because we all, if we are honest must confess that we tend to trust in ourselves, our efforts, our finances, our strengths, our wisdom and intellect... when we need to learn to surrender completely to the Lord and put ourselves completely in his care.

Here's the lyrics to that song:

You come like you promised you would
I want to surrender for good
I know that I need you
And I dont want to keep living life alone

So take my heart
and make it new
make it true
And make it like you
Take my hands
I lift them high


They're yours not mine to do
Do what you will
Do what you will
Do what you will


I feel like a blind man in you sight
I know that I'm wicked in your eyes
So wash me and make me shine like the sun
I want to tell everyone
that youre the only one
So take my heart
And make it new
Make it true
And make it like you
Take my hands
I lift them high
They're yours not mine to do
Do what you will
Do what you will
Do what you will

I'm ready now
I'm ready now
I'm ready now
Do what you will