…That I saw the sign about seeing the sign?
Is your prayer a negotiation?
Recently it dawned on me that I have a tendency to ask for signs. That, I would expect, is somewhat normal in prayer. Part of my experience is in looking for answers and in the constant lesson about surrender and trust. The plain truth for me is that sometimes I find myself wanting life to move a bit faster than it may be. Sometimes I might have the tendency to think too much on a subject, person, thing… and find myself asking God to show me what I “should do” or to provide me a sign to point me in a direction.
Then I wait.
The human irony involved here is that although my intentions are good, my motives are still selfish. Whether consciously or subconsciously I may be asking for God’s will but in the end I am looking for mine. I have become aware that I am undoubtedly missing the very signs I have Ben asking for simply because they did not fit the picture of my desire or expectation.
How did I come by this revelation? My life (thankfully) is filled with lightbulb moments. I call them my page-turns in life’s book. Some are more significant than others but the moments are all transitional. My current awareness was offered in two layers. First came the piece of surrender in a very longstanding work drama. How many times must a certain issue be repeated before even the more insane amongst us are able to recognize the repetitive nature of the “dilemma”? Once surrendered I looked at the person presenting me the problem and proclaimed my surrender. I would no longer take an active role in it’s perpetuation. I felt the peace and trust one experiences when they have turned the result over to God.
It was then, as the problem was being presented that I noticed I was being offered a sign that I had completely ignored before. Perhaps I had not considered it because it seemed to be something that I would not want to happen, but wouldn’t that be a scenario built in my control? If I am to trust God in surrender of the results I do not want to limit myself to seeing the answers he provides me. The key is in an open mind.
Completely open.
Ask yourself if you are truly willing to receive the answer when you are seeking guidance. It is with that willingness that your own concept of surrender will change, grow and flourish. If you truly want a sign you will see it for what it is meant to be. Trust that answer and you are trusting God.
What a difference it has already made for me.
Be Happy. Be Well. Be.