Epic Bible College

PRESSURE, BURDEN, EXPECTATIONS…WHY?

Posted on 08. Jun, 2010 by dpineschi in Uncategorized

I cannot rely on me. What have I done that would earn myself one second in eternity with a Holy, Holy, Holy God? Like Moses, what goodness is there in me that deserves one glance at the face of God? If this is so, why do we so focus on what we do as merit? I use to struggle with the thought of being good enough for God to make it to Heaven. Now I struggle with am I doing enough to please him, or make him happy? I don’t want to waste my life on the fleeting things of this world that will soon waste away. I am coming to a place in my life where I am realizing God loves and likes me whether or not I do something so amazing. So often we can get caught up on what others do for God and look at our own lives and think we are disappointments. This couldn’t be further from truth. The truth is someone may be called to preach to millions and see thousands saved; some may be called to a secular job and witness to a few. We should have vision and we should have goals, but not according to the pressure of others, but according to the will of our Father. Our life’s purpose should not be a burden. What you are doing now, do it with love and seek God in your situation and he will lead you to new places if you are open.

Can I tell you to stop striving and not be offended? Cease and listen instead on exhausting yourself on expectations that were made by someone close to you, or you may have made yourself, or you think God has placed on you. God’s will can and will be difficult, but it should not be a burden in the sense that it is draining the very life and spirit out of you. Amidst the struggle and pain God would be there pushing you on and applying the supernatural strength to keep you. God has made a specific purpose for you, because you are a specific creation. Often times making crucial decisions about your purpose in your life can be fogged for many reasons. We have to look at our motives why we choose to pursue our goals. I encourage you to dissect the reasons why you are doing things and what you are pursuing. Is it out of pride, status, position, money etc? I know for me I have to face the motive in my heart and determine what I am listening too. Is this new opportunity appealing because people will think I have it all together, it puffs up my pride because people will think I’m smart, people will think I’m more spiritual, the money will be a lot better, people rely on me, this person expects me to do more, my parents will be proud, etc. There are many things that float through our minds, but what it all should come down to is the question. Is this the path God has chosen for me? Stop. Clear your mind. There is so much clutter in this world and it enters our minds so fast with no filter. Find solitude in the presence of God. Can you hear him? Well, you might not today, but He will speak. In the meantime continue on and just be in his presence. He is God that loves you, and desires just you. We can get caught up in all our missions and to do’s, but in the quiet is where God wants us, fills us, renews us, and speaks to us.

“In love there is no room for fear, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear implies punishment, and no one who is afraid has come to perfection in love.” 1 John 4:18 “Love may drive out fear, but some of us have to take John’s challenge from the other direction first. We have to stop being afraid to make room for love. We can tell another person of our love easily enough. But if harbor fears at the back of our minds – ‘Does he really love me? How could he? If I love her, will she really return that love, or will she eventually betray me?’ – we are holding back…After all who wants to be hurt? But no one can flourish if hemmed in by doubts and fears.” B Manning. The same is found in our love for God. If we hand over our lives for him to use in trust and surrender He can do mighty things. If we hold back out of fear then we will never flourish in the hand of God. We will always cower in the face of His call – even when it’s His best for us. Where there is no risk, there is no reward. Every decision we make has ramifications. Some with great risk, some with small risks; regardless of the size there is a reward for putting one foot in front of the other.

Holy Spirit,
Enlighten me today. Bring to light the things that are in the dark. Reveal the hidden things you desire me to see. Forgive me for having expectations and burdens that were not meant for me to carry, yet I carried them out of duty and not out of love. I realize that without your grace and mercy I am lost. No matter what rules I keep, what goals I accomplish I am still in your loving hand. I know there is more to my life and in your love help to carry out your purpose in my life.

Amen

God Bless

David Pineschi