"But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” Genesis 17:81 (NIV)
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4: 13-15 (NIV)
I have not been in the position to have a hit recording, block buster movie, or even a very profitable real estate transaction. I do confess a bit of envy for those that have those types of accomplishments. Regardless of our list of profitable or unsuccessful creative or business ventures in life, there is always a "what's next?" in front of us. As people who desire to do God's will, you may think that there is some kind of guarantee for success, but not so. I am finally on the eve of my book being published, The Procrastinators Daily Devotion, I hope for success. Yet, my hope is not as substantial as God's will. Like old Sarah, I have faith and do believe that God promised me I would give birth to something important in my life.
As I stood in front of a beautiful handmade quilt being auctioned at the West End Fair in Laurelton, Pennsylvania, getting my money ready to pay for those raffle tickets, as I had annually for decades, I questioned God. It went something like this... "Ok God, I know my chances of winning this quilt are next to none. I've been trying to win a quilt here for close to 30 years. How about you give me a sign? Will I ever be able to stop teaching for my income? How about if I win this quilt this year, it will be you giving me a sign, telling me that someday my career as a writer will earn me all the income I need? I believe that if I win this time, you are promising me that my desire will be rewarded... Ok?" I believe I heard a "Yes." When the fair ended there was no call notifying me of the prize I wanted so strongly to possess. More than the quilt, I wanted God's will for my life to be his promise fulfilled, that I become a successful author.
My move to New Hampshire initially involved jumping through all the bureaucratic hoops to transfer my teaching credentials to my new state. Months later, after securing a good substitute position I got a call, "Is this Barbara Gelnett? Did you buy a raffle ticket to win a quilt?" Yes! I did win the quilt. That same quilt had to do an entire circuit of several fairs (decreasing my chance of winning) until my ticket was drawn. My first response was, "Thank you Lord!" A prize was won, a promise fulfilled. I have faith by this time next year I will be living in that promise, not because it's what I want, but because it is God's "Yes" to me, it is His will.
Dear Lord, Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Let it be done in me. In Jesus' name.
