growth.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

If God said it...

SOMETIMES WHEN THINGS HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES – WE JUST know THAT IT WAS GOD.

Certain things that happen in life are just far too perfect to be labeled an every day coincidence. We've all encountered those situations, opportunities, or maybe even those run-ins with people who make you smile up to heaven & thank God for being so doggone awesome. You begin thanking him for blessing you with the opportunity. You thank him for always being on time -- always knowing what's best for you. Thank you Lord, thank you, thank you.

Right? Undoubtedly, everyone has experienced something like this in their lifetime. I know I have. Many times. In light of this, I've just been pondering lately: if I am blessed with an opportunity in which I was positive that God placed before me... then what exactly does it mean if nothing actually comes of it? Serious question. The Bible says that God cannot lie, right?

"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"

Numbers 23:19

Right.

"The Lord giveth & he taketh like an Indian-giver" - J. Cole

Catchy line J. Cole, but I refuse to believe that.

So, what exactly does it mean? Does it mean that I was maybe prematurely giving thanks to God for something that he never intended for me? Like, did I just miss God completely? Or maybe did I do something to potentially "mess up" the opportunity or situation? Or maybe, if the opportunity I was grateful for was actually another human being, did they possibly something mess up something that God intended? Who really knows?

I hear so many people say, "Why care? If something is meant to happen then it will happen!" or "Girl please, if it doesn't work out then it was never meant to be." I've said these things plenty of times myself but I'm not sure if I actually can agree 100%. Well, I know that I can't agree 100%. Why? Because we are not puppets. God is not in control of our every move and decision.

*gasp* What did she just say?

I'll say it again, God is NOT in control. Anyone who knows me, knows that I cannot stand religious cliches and a popular one that we have all heard is: "God is in control." I understand what is meant here and I would never downplay God's might, ability, power, dominion & overall omnipotence. However, I will not be foolish in thinking that I can sit back in life and coast -- putting no effort in because "God has the steering wheel & I'm just in the passenger seat" (Another cliche that I hate). God is not some tyrant ruling from Heaven, dictating our every move and every decision that we make. He places people, opportunities and situations in our path & then gives us something to decide what we do with them. It's a little thing called: free will. WE choose what path we decide to go down. WE make our own decisions. Whether they line up with what God intended is another story. Making good decisions comes along with knowing God's voice & knowing how to listen to Holy Spirit. & not only listening but allowing yourself to trust & be guided by God. God will gladly be the HEAD of your life, helping to guide your steps...but only if you ALLOW him to. If you have faith in God, then you must ACT like it by giving him that control -- he will never just TAKE it.

Sorry, tangent -- but on that note, God can place an opportunity right in front of our faces -- but if we choose to ignore it & not take the initiative to explore it then we can very well be missing out on something that was "meant to be". So when I see something that I previously spent many days thanking God for just completely dissipate into seemingly nothing -- I can't help but to wonder what the cause was. Surely, it wasn't God's "fault", so what wen't wrong? Was it me? Was it outside influences? If it was another person, was it them? Was it never really meant to be to begin with? Sometimes its good to remember that just as God can place people, situations and opportunities in your life -- so can Satan. And we all know that he will do what he can to get you off course.

So, who knows? There is no real conclusion to this post. No scriptures backing up what I'm saying. No "answer" -- not sure if I was really seeking one or if I was just writing. But, it's my blog. I can do what I want ;-) This was just some food for thought...

Goodnight!