Ingredients:
1 year old boy
plenty of sunshine
warm weather
park
baby swing
push
Procedure:
Gather all ingredients. Insert boy into swing. Push gently while smiling and exclaiming what fun it is to swing. This should elicit giggles and happiness from boy.
I had all the ingredients. I followed the recipe.
Chico cried.
What went wrong? It was supposed to be fun! That’s what swings are made for, so that little boys can enjoy them on sunny days.
Have you ever felt like Chico? Following the world’s recipe for the good life and ending up in tears? Following someone’s method for spiritual growth and feeling farther and farther away from the Lover of your soul? Following the church’s strategy for prosperity and wondering why you don’t have what others do?
The more I get to know the Lord, the more I realize that his plan for me is different than his plan for you. While the truth in his Word is the same for everyone, the way it plays out and the place it takes each person is different.
When it comes to methods, procedures, recipes, etc., the focus is always on the end result. Where we want to be. What we want to have.
When it comes to living life with Jesus the focus is on the process. Our walk with Him. Our relationship with Him.
And I find that the work He does in me along the way is of much greater value than anything promised by the methods, recipes and strategies out there.
Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life-to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention.
Matthew 7:13-14 (The Message)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
26 comments
Angi says:
October 12, 2011 at 10:28 am (UTC -6 )
So good and full of truth! I totally feel like that sometimes! But it's crazy because our God is such a personal God, why would we expect every journey to look the same?
Thanks for the encouraging scriptures!
MyJourneyBack says:
October 12, 2011 at 1:06 pm (UTC -6 )
Oh such a sweet post. I love your header photo!
Thanks for sharing.
lori says:
October 12, 2011 at 1:33 pm (UTC -6 )
SO, SO, Sooooooo good…
This one just hit me in the heart…truly a Word I needed to hear today!
peace,
lori
Courtney (Women Living Well) says:
October 12, 2011 at 2:38 pm (UTC -6 )
Great post and great picture to go with it – poor little guy
Yes – I've been there!
Keep walking with the King!
Courtney
Rebecca says:
October 12, 2011 at 2:39 pm (UTC -6 )
OH, so true! "his plan for me is different than his plan for you." My son wanted to take a short cut while walking up stairs at a waterfall last week…I told him it was best to stay on the path…to listen to Mommy's wisdom because I had tried that on Pike's Peak….and learned the meaning truly of staying on the path! LOVE this post!
Alida says:
October 12, 2011 at 2:40 pm (UTC -6 )
Oh how true! What a great lesson for us all.
Anonymous says:
October 12, 2011 at 2:42 pm (UTC -6 )
Yessssss!!!!! beutiful analogy.
Juanita Rose says:
October 12, 2011 at 5:35 pm (UTC -6 )
Great post! This is something that I have become so aware of in the last decade. Which means I am growing in Him!! The process of a life lived as a disciple, a follower, a lover of Jesus, is as unique as our fingerprints! Blessings as you continue to trust and surrender to Him.
Jennifer says:
October 12, 2011 at 8:50 pm (UTC -6 )
I posted Matthew 6:33 in my post today too! You are so right that God's plan and purpose for each of us is different. I am gradually beginning to accept that the journey, the process, is what we're here for: to be transformed into the image of Christ! I want to allow God to do His perfect work in me so I'll be ready for my eternal Home.
Misty says:
October 13, 2011 at 12:15 am (UTC -6 )
Such a good post and a much needed word for me! Thank you for sharing.
Carol says:
October 13, 2011 at 10:19 am (UTC -6 )
A clear reminder of where our focus should be. Great post!
MomLaur says:
October 13, 2011 at 12:12 pm (UTC -6 )
Hilarious picture…great post, thanks for the reminder!
Joan Davis says:
October 13, 2011 at 1:46 pm (UTC -6 )
Love the picture! And it brings up a good point — following the world's recipe doesn't bring true joy. You are so right, God's plans for each of us are different. We are each made uniquely, but all fit beautifully into His plan!
Blessings!
Jo Princess Warrior says:
October 13, 2011 at 3:51 pm (UTC -6 )
Love this oh so much! I too have learned that my walk is so different to anyone else's. When I follow someone else's formula for happiness or success I end up miserable. But I I listen to His whisper in my heart and follow the plans he has for me as an individual, I flourish.
Joan says:
October 13, 2011 at 4:36 pm (UTC -6 )
Love this! Too many Christians are trying to conform to the pattern that has been cut for them. But God's plan is the only way to follow.
Thanks for linking up at the Grace Cafe today!
Blessings,
Joan
Sharon says:
October 13, 2011 at 6:07 pm (UTC -6 )
How true this is! God wants our focus to be Him and not methodology and the desires of this world. He wants to be our portion, our everything. He wired us each with our own personality, so how I relate to Him will be different than how you relate to Him. I love His richness and diversity!
Barb says:
October 15, 2011 at 6:28 pm (UTC -6 )
Hi,
Ive felt like Chico at times.
Said the right words, prayed the right prayers, but it wasn't right for me….
God wants a personal relationship with each of us. So true
I have been on holiday for a month and I'm enjoying catching up with L.A.C.E friends ….new and old
God Bless
Barb from Australia
Nell says:
October 16, 2011 at 3:19 pm (UTC -6 )
Joining you from lace, I love this post and you are so right, I am sure we would all benefit from less programs and procedures and more personal intimate relations with God. It is refreshing to hear this message from others. Thank you and may God continue to bless you abundantly.
Nell
Lily-Rose Cottage says:
October 16, 2011 at 3:21 pm (UTC -6 )
Oh dear!
Yes indeed – we can all relate to your sweet boy!
Thanks for linking up to Simple Joys.
blessings..Trish
Wendy says:
October 17, 2011 at 2:56 pm (UTC -6 )
Lovely story! Following the recipe in my own life has certainly ended up with many tears. Learning to lean on Him and what His desire is for our life.
Laura says:
October 17, 2011 at 3:13 pm (UTC -6 )
I feel his pain
. This is such a truth that needs told over and over. We are all different. Our good God wants to meet with each one of us. What brings one person into His presence may be very different from the next. Poor little Chico. I guess swinging is not his favorite spiritual practice 
.
Brandee Shafer says:
October 17, 2011 at 6:41 pm (UTC -6 )
I really like this. I do think God grows each of us differently. If He changed us all at once, our heads would pop off! Thanks for sharing. Visiting from The Wellspring.
~ linda says:
October 17, 2011 at 10:37 pm (UTC -6 )
Oh, this is just the best! As I read it, I felt like Chico and knew exactly that cringe as I tried to do it every which way but God's!
Thank you for this exceptionally insightful moment!
May your day be filled with smiles.
~ linda
Jen says:
October 18, 2011 at 8:55 am (UTC -6 )
What a wonderful post. Thanks so much for sharing!
Following from Family Time Tuesday!
aseedinspired.com says:
October 18, 2011 at 1:06 pm (UTC -6 )
oh
my
gosh
that face you would think you were pushing him in and out of a fire!?
funny.
T
togetherforgood says:
October 19, 2011 at 5:30 pm (UTC -6 )
Poor little guy . . . how COULD a mama be so mean?