I was listening to a message my pastor did, and he brought up the scripture: "Be willing and Obedient to eat the fat of the land". He was explaining that we may not be "eating the fat of the land" so to speak (i.e walking in the fullness of what the Lord has for us) because sometimes we're not willing, and sometimes we're outright not obedient - and the root of all that is self.
To me, "Self" is the opposite of trusting God. The bible says Stubborness is as the sin of idolatory, which is self worship. ...so if I want to come after Him I have to crucify self, which means I have to identify and put in check anywhere where I'm not trusting God.
It's easy to say "I'm trusting God with this or that", but am I really?
I have to say it seems so overwhelming sometimes that it seems I'm trying so hard (yeah, sure) and it's still not good enough! But that's because I'm focusing on my efforts and my ability to do.
The key is to surrender ALL to the Lord and let Him do these things through me - because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
But while I know this intellectually, it's quite another to actually walk it.
Something Pastor does mention that helps is to trust the Lord's love and His purposes in order to have the victory. I can definitely see how as I grow in trusting the Lord and trusting His purposes, I can surrender more and more to Him because I know He cares for me and won't let me down... But I can't do it on my own though.
So my prayer each day is asking the Lord to teach me HOW to surrender, and help me to just do it. Just bite the bullet and do it - one thing at a time. The sky will not fall if I let go. really.
That's why I'm trying to meditate daily on scriptures that speak of God's love for me, so I can get it in there. It needs to get into my heart, get mixed with some faith so that it can power this surrender thing.
I guess it's one day/issue/experience at a time... It requires practise just like everything else.
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Hope this encourages you as you practise the presence of God:
Excerpt From "the practice of the presence of God" by brother Lawrence:
http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Presence-God-Brother-Lawrence/dp/0924722193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235599621&sr=1-1
In the beginning, Brother Lawrence declared that a little effort was needed to form the habit of continually coversing with God, telling Him everything that was happening. However, after a little careful practice, God's love refreshed him, and it all became quite easy.
When he considered doing some good deed, he always consulted God about it saying, "Lord, I will never be able to do that if you don't help me." Immediately he would be given more than enough strength.
When he sinned he confessed it to God with these words: "I can do nothing better without you. Please keep me from falling and correct the mistakes I make." After that, he did not feel guilty about sin.
Brother Lawrence pointed out that he spoke very simply and frankly to God. He asked for help with things as he needed it, and his experience had been that God never failed to respond.
by Brother Lawrence Scroll Publishing Co. · 2007ISBN: 978-0-924722-19-6
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