Psalm 31:1 In thee, O LORD, do

Where do you fall in the following list:

• I can do something
• I can do nothing
• I can do something for God
• God can do something
• God can do nothing
• God can do something for me

Depending on the amount of time you have, contemplating this list of how we do things just might produce some valuable insight into our lives.

When you play out the individual scenarios, you will soon find that the only value of doing something is when we do something for God. Every other statement leaves us out of touch with God. I can do something or I can do nothing (leaving God out of the picture) leaves us disconnected with God and often beating our heads against a rock—wondering what purpose we have in the world. This can equally be seen when God does something but we are unable to see what that might be or how it impacts our life. Oh, and God doing nothing is completely absurd.

Does God do things for me? Assuredly yes, quite often, and more times than I can count! But doing anything and expecting God to do something in return is a bit selfish and self-centered. Please don’t confuse this with the promises God ensures of us. God is just not a bank where you deposit money and expect a return, we would be playing god then. Plus, above the death on the cross, what higher return would you want? And isn’t the death of Jesus a free gift? NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED!

Now, here is the rub. With anything (read again, anything) you do, there is nothing within your power to control. I’VE TRIED! I thought I was controlling things for many years: my job, my money, my family, and even my spiritual life. I thought that if I would just do ‘X’ or just do ‘Y’ I would finally succeed and everything would be ok. While this worked for quite some time, I soon realized there were just too many things for me to do and I had no control over them at all. I asked God to intervene however He felt was necessary. Miraculously God squashed me like an insignificant bug and imparted some perspective.

If you find yourself in the ‘I can do’ syndrome but think there is no way out, remember that God, regardless of how far you think he is from you is faithful to hear you. While I’m getting ahead in Psalm 31, take heart, as David did, that God will hear you regardless of your perceived relationship with Him.

Psalm 31:22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

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