The Bargain = If + Then

Life is full of unknowns.

When things are not in our control, especially the things that are near and dear to our hearts, it's terribly hard to feel so helpless.  And in the midst of that helplessness, many times we reach out to God for some semblance of peace.  True seeking after God in times of duress is an unspeakably beautiful thing.  However, often times, we choose not to demonstrate our faith in Him - we bargain.

Instead of living in the reality that our Savior loves us deeply and that He is caring for each one of our needs, we immediately launch into an "if/then" equation.  "If" you do this for me, "then" I will do _______(fill in the blank).  And so the bargaining begins...

The problem with the "if/then" equation is that it is not based on faith or trust. It's a business deal.  If you watch Sons of Anarchy you know what I'm talkin' bout (a lil' WT, I know :)).  They have like 45 bargains/deals happen every single episode.  It's exhausting, really.

Don't get me wrong, the bible actually has quite a few examples of biblical folks bargaining with God, and I'm not saying that baring the desires of your heart to God is not a good idea.  Far from it!  Please do express your heart to Jesus, He wants deeply to hear you and fulfill the desires of your heart.  Instead, what I am getting at, is that when we try to bargain with God, most of the time without realizing it, we are trying to manipulate God into giving us what we want by offering Him something that we think He desires.

Oofta, that stings, huh?  It slapped me upside the head pretty good, but maybe you're better at this whole life thing than I am and you've already got this part down :)  Wow, so I am trying to manipulate God into giving me what I want... whew, that's bad.  But when I stop and think about what the desire of my heart actually is, it's not bad at all.  Unfortunately, the end doesn't justify the means, as much as we'd like it to.

Alright, so how do I do this right?  Are you thinking what I'm thinking Pinky?  (No, no, Brain, we don't get to take over the world...)

Ok, f'reals though.  How do I a) express my heart to Jesus, b) lay down my burdens, c) trust that He is taking care of me, d) have faith that no matter what the outcome that it is all being worked together for good AND e) not go insane?  Umm, well, sorry folks, I can't wrap this one up with a pretty little bow.  Unfortunately, I don't think that there is any "easy" button to this part of life, we just have to keep doing it, over and over.

Is it scary to let go of our imaginary control over the situation?  Absolutely.  Are we doing ourselves any good by trying to hold onto it? Of course not.  Does it make it any easier to let go?  Not a chance.

I can't offer you promises or a map of your future, but I can say that if we let it, peace will always prevail.  Just take a minute to rest in His grace and know that it really, really is going to be okay, even if it doesn't feel like it.

Blessings friends!