“Leave room for Jesus.”
That’s what we’d tease dating friends who always seemed to want to be close to each other. It was a light-hearted way to remind them that God’s way is better than our way.
The principle applies to much more than just purity in relationships though.
Franklin Graham, in his autobiography Rebel With a Cause, describes “God-room.” A mentor of his explained it this way:
“Listen, Buddy, ’God room’ is when you have seen a need you believe God wants you to meet. You try, but you can’t…That’s when you pray and leave room for God to work. You watch God close that gap.”
There are many reasons why it’s hard to leave that space for God to work…
[bctt tweet=”Instead of walking by faith we like to stand on it, stick straight, saying, ‘Lord, I believe. I’ll take the next step when you light the path.’” username=”PatHolbrook”]
[bctt tweet=”Faith requires acting before knowing for sure.” username=”PatHolbrook”]
[bctt tweet=”Sometimes God points a direction, and, without explaining much, we’re just to obey and go that way. Obscurity, uncertainty included. That happened over and over again in Scripture.” username=”PatHolbrook”]
[bctt tweet=”Notice that Hebrews 11:1 doesn’t say ‘Faith is waiting for things to be seen,’ but that ‘faith is the conviction of things unseen.’” username=”PatHolbrook”]
But then, think of what wouldn’t happen if we didn’t sometimes give up on ourselves and leave God-room…
Without faith, we’d never see more accomplished than humanly possible. The church wouldn’t have lasted past Christ’s ascension. You and I would still have no hope except for ourselves- and we can’t save ourselves. We would be living like we did before we knew Jesus and trusted Him for everything.
Without the God-gap, life would be like a land of rivers, lakes, and seas—with no bridges.
Today, I want to look at the chasms I can’t fathom crossing as opportunities to watch God work. How about you?
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[bctt tweet=”LINKUP PARTY is open! Today, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath invites us to look at the gaps we cannot bridge on our own as opportunities to see God at work. Join us and share your post!” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Bethany, I saw this post pop up in my inbox this morning, and was so intrigued by the title. It’s so good for this cautious-do-the-research-before-moving-an-inch-girl to receive counsel that God fills in those scary empty places with His power.
It was good for me to hear too Michele! The quote from Graham’s autobiography has stuck me with for years!!
“God-room,” I like that. I used to tell the Lord I wasn’t fond of Hebrews 11:1. I just never liked “the evidence of things not seen.” But who does? Still, it is the basis to our faith…believing before seeing.
What great and fresh insight, Bethany. Love this line, “Without the God-gap, life would be like a land of rivers, lakes, and seas—with no bridges.”
Thank you for a wonderful post and reminder.
Yes- Hebrews 11:1 isn’t always my favorite either. Glad this quote and reminder resonated with you too- and so glad God is faithful in these gaps!
Thank you for sharing the powerful “God-room” quote!
That quote from Graham’s autobiography has stuck me with for years!! Thank you, glad to share!
I LOVE your dependence on God! So inspiring. laurensparks.net
HE is dependable! And I’m so not good at this, but thank you. By His Grace we can be learning!
Thank you for this truth. The idea of God-room is a prefect way to describe how we need to get out of the way so God can do the work that He does best.