Being Humble and Putting My Dependence In Him

In review of Matthew 5:3 it says, “God blesses those who ... realize their need for him.”

Bottom Line:

God blesses those who are humble and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

What this means to me:

God will bless me. I need to be humble and realize my dependence on Him. If I do He has promised the Kingdom of Heaven to me.

What I’m learning is that God doesn’t mind having a wrestling match with me. Wrestling after all is a contact sport. It means I’m up close, and God would rather have me up close wrestling with him than having me be distant and apathetic.

Many of the problems I deal with today are just symptoms. My real struggle is likely with God.

Perhaps the biggest struggle is when things don’t go the way I want them to, or as fast as I would like them to. When this happens, I tend to take matters into my own hands. I don’t wait, I don’t trust God, I don’t pray. I get in a hurry and think I need to take control to provide for my needs.

My problem with God boils down to two things: 1). Will I trust God to take care of the situation? And, 2). will I obey God and do the right thing even if it doesn’t make sense to me?

The root of all conflicts stem from the fact that I want to be in charge. I want to be God. I want to call the shots. So God says, “OK, let’s have it out. Let’s go to the mat. Let’s wrestle — you and me, one-on-one. Let’s have it out. Let’s see who’s really in charge here.”

Today’s verse tells me, “God blesses those who ... realize their need for him” Matthew 5:3 (NLT).

Given the analogy of wrestling, the whole purpose is to pin the other guy on the mat. How do you know when you’ve won? When someone says, “Uncle!” or “I give up.” God is waiting for me to say that. He’ll wrestle with me as long as it takes.

As a reflect on this mornings quiet time, one problem or struggle that I keep coming back to is in regards to where my wife and I should end up living. We are ready to downsize our home and quite frankly the drive between my home and office is really draining on me from a time and frustration standpoint. My problem is my connection to my community where I live today. Moving away would take me further away from them, perhaps not as connected, and this is where my heart is; wanting to serve and make a difference. There are several other things taking place in my life, and God knows I’m likely not ready to make any big changes yet. So I just need to keep on praying and discussing this with Him to determine the right decision and timing for my wife and myself.