Give Up?

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

Matthew 28:5-7 

 

Have you ever had a dream crumble to the point that you wanted to give up? Have you ever experienced a situation that just crushed your dreams?  I have.  It's not a good feeling.  In fact, it's devastating.  This is what Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph felt as they went to the tomb of Jesus to prepare the body of Jesus for proper burial.  This man whom they followed, listened to, saw miracles performed through Him, had been killed.  They felt as if their dreams had been killed with Him.  

 

When they got to the tomb, they found the stone rolled away and some glowing guy in a blindingly white suit sitting on the stone.  When they got closer, he told them that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and if they needed proof to come look inside for themselves. They looked inside and saw that the guy was absolutely correct.  And they felt their dreams restored.

 

Let me ask you something, was the stone moved so Jesus could get out?  Nope!  The stone was moved in order that the women could look inside!  And their hope was restored!  God proved to them that what Jesus said about rising after the third day was true!  And guess what, God still proves His love for us even now...every day...if we don't give up!

Have We Become Spoiled?

Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

James 4:1-3

If you have ever seen the movie "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" you will remember there was a girl named Veruca Salt who wanted everything and she wanted it NOW!  Some would say she was "strong willed" or a "strong personality" or "just knows what she wants."  But let me tell you the truth about Veruca.....she's a spoiled brat!  Her father was willing to do whatever he had to so she could have what she wanted.  

Don't get me wrong, it is not a bad thing to have dreams, goals, and desires.  The issue comes in how we react when we can't have what we want.  We've seen this over and over, especially as the media has become more and more about unfiltered live coverage.  

And to be honest, I have also been among the spoiled ranks.  I figured because God didn't give me what I wanted, then I wasn't being enough of a "squeaky wheel."  We seem to have forgotten that God has a plan for us and that plan spans from the time before time all the way through the time beyond time.  And.....to be honest, had God given me what I wanted, life would be extremely bad for me.

Here's the point: Tell God EVERYTHING that on your heart; your dreams and desires.  Then let Him put all the pieces in place for HIS plan for you because HIS plan for YOU is always far better than anything you could have dreamed.  And God will take His time to make sure you are ready for His plan.  God doesn't work on our timetable, so don't try to rush it.