I did it again! I took things into my own hands and started running in front of God. Fortunately, God got my attention before I got too far ahead.

But to put my story in context let me back up for a minute.

If you were to talk to people who know me, they would probably say I’m a doer. Give her a task and she’ll get things done. My husband would share that I can jump on a need faster than I can think through the consequences. I would add, that God has uniquely wired me to identify people who need a hand. I can sense their frustrations and identify with their fears. All good qualities when kept in check. But what if the thing you’re trying to fix, or the task you’re trying to tackle, doesn’t belong to you?

That is where I found myself recently, trying to fix and drive a cause God hadn’t called me to champion.

So, back to my story.

I was asked to help in an area I’m passionate about. One of those serving opportunities where passion meets skill. So of course, I said yes. But somewhere along the path—between being asked to help and my enthusiasm—self-sufficiency and pride raised their ugly heads. All my controlling, fixing, and rescuing behaviors came rushing out. I found myself overly concerned about outcomes, fretting about timelines, and wrestling with perceptions. I jumped in, ran without thinking, and got down a road that led to potholes, dead ends, and wrong ways. I got so far in front of God, that he had to chase me down, pull me off my course, and redirect my path.

Fortunately, it was a quick journey so the collateral damage was minimal but wow what a lesson. It is really smart to take the time to ask God, listen to his response, and then follow his instructions.

Not everything that comes across your path, or you’re asked to do, or you think would be fun to do, belongs to you. In fact, what if our efforts to control and fix rob others of their growth and maturity? What if our rescuing keeps them from recognizing God as their Rescuer?

What I’m learning is sometimes my actions are more about a need for validation and less about God-ordained obedience, more about boosting my ego, and less about true surrender. As I navigate each new opportunity, I can see that some are mere reminders to slow down and not get so far in front of God that I lose sight of him.

The writer of Proverbs puts it this way,

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)

Easy for the writer to say but harder for this human to follow.

So, remember, when the ask comes, and you are prompted to say yes, take a few minutes and talk to God. Then, listen to his response before you make your decision. And when you have clarity on how to move forward, do so with enthusiastic obedience.

And please remember, there will be times when the thing you’re asked to consider doesn’t belong to you, and God’s got that covered as well.

Be Blessed,