By: Jessica Huber

I was looking for my veggie peeler the other day and In my mind I had a picture of what it looked like. I spent some time in one drawer shuffling around until I finally gave up and went onto another. I did the same thing in that drawer, rummaging around, picking up the divider, looking to see if it could have slid under. It was nowhere to be found. I knew this peeler had to be somewhere in the kitchen. I remembered using it not too long ago so I was determined to find it. I went back to the drawer that I had previously scoured, I thought, maybe I overlooked it. I searched and I looked and I looked and I had this picture of a white peeler in my head and then it dawned on me. Maybe it’s not white. My eyes started to scan for a peeler, any peeler and Bam, there it was! A black peeler that could have bitten me if it had been a snake. Maybe I had owned a white one in the past? Who knows.

Why am I telling you about my kitchen utensil dilemma?
Well, immediately a thought came to my mind, we insist on our own image and it causes us to overlook or underestimate the position that God has placed us in.

Great determination, focused in the wrong direction leads to frustration.
So often we have a preconceived plan in our head. We have an image for what our life should be. Many times that image is derived from our past experiences. We insist on it and when it doesn’t turn out, we get frustrated and anxious. We argue with God, we tell Him we are in the wrong place. We stomp our feet and we demand to be positioned where we think we need to be. After all we prayed about it! Right?

Our tunnel vision blinds us from important factors. We have to remember that we only see a very small portion of the picture to begin with. Why not rely on God’s protection and provision through this time? Trust that God’s love does not over look your desires, he knows your heart, he receives your thoughts and he gathers your prayers. But all in all it’s not really about us, is it? We forget that. Now he’s not a puppet master, but His ways are far above and beyond what we can accept at times. It’s a normal human mindset, but it causes us to be unappreciative of the work going on behind the seen. Instead of insisting that God jump into our vision, let’s open our hearts and come alive in His. Let’s gain a Spiritual mindset, by Trusting in the Lord with All our heart and leaning not on our own understanding. That verse can’t be used enough.
Habakkuk 2:3
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

I can’t imagine how many times I might have passed up a good opportunity because I insisted that the peeler was white. How many times did my eyes glaze over God’s blessings? Or worse, how many times did he want to use me to bless someone else, but instead I was too busy complaining that I was in the wrong place.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
You are not your own. Repeat that to yourself.

John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
We know that a good pruning is needed for a healthy production of fruit.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

It wouldn’t hurt too clean out that drawer. Get rid of the things that are limiting the situation, ask God to weed out the areas in your life that are blocking your view, not just people but anything that may cause you to pull down the shades.

In All ways Acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.
Acknowledge His Plan, Acknowledge His Truth, Acknowledge His Promises and His Love. Acknowledge His Patience and Let Him Guides you beyond this nearsightedness.
If there is something you want, don’t force it, line it up with His word. Then, leave it to him to filter and sift. Don’t battle the No!
Why am I here, what good is this? Why aren’t things moving as fast as I hoped, what am I doing wrong? Doesn’t God love me? Yes, He loves you! Simply Trust in His Will. Rest in that thought right there.

Your plans may sound pretty good, but God knows the talents he wants to use in you, He knows the areas that need strengthened, and he knows what it takes to bring this to completion, be patient. Try looking at it this way, I may not be comfortable, but I can’t wait to see what my God will do with this moment!
Who will he introduce me to along the way?

James 1:4
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

John 13:7
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

If you have received a No, be certain that God has purpose for that no.
It is possible he planned that no, way in advance.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Prayer
Dear Lord, this is the day that you have made, thank you! Thank you for your patience with me, when I struggle against your will. Help me walk with Spiritual eyes of faith. I may be going through something that I do not understand, but God I know you have it all figured out. You make beauty out of ashes, and I am excited to see what you will do with mine. Help me to look beyond my vision Lord and clear out whatever may be blocking me from accepting yours. No matter what disappointments come along, help me to continue to see each day as an open opportunity to introduce you to this world. Help me to reflect your love and kindness. Help me use this time to be selfless and help me to focus on what is most important in your eyes.
In JESUS Name I pray