Let Him Be God, May 5
Written by Karen Wonders
“Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143:10 NIV).
When I was in my third year of doctoral work, I found out that my husband and I were expecting our very first child. It came as an unexpected surprise, and we were so excited. Although I had always wanted to be a mom, I never really thought about how working would impact my family life. I had spent the last 20+ years of my life in school. Up until that point, I was very excited to finally get a “real” job. Yet now I wasn’t so sure. A growing part of me wanted to stay at home with my children. This desire only deepened after our daughter was born. I cried nearly every day of my maternity leave. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving our sweet baby—even if only for a few hours. I began to pray about the possibility of becoming a stay-at-home mom. I had several Christian friends who stayed at home with their children, so I naturally thought that God would agree that my place was in my home.
You can imagine my surprise when I clearly heard the Lord tell me, “NO.”
No. His plan was not for me to be a stay-at-home mom. Yes, He called me to motherhood. But He also called me to work outside the home. He called me to minister to those battling cancer as a non-profit director. He also called me to become a professor and serve as a light to my students at a secular university.
If I’m being honest, there are times when these callings are overwhelming. There are days when I long for a simpler life. Days when I feel like I am continuously falling short. Feelings of failure often burden me.
Pride tells us that we can do it all on our own.
Trust shows us that we don’t have to.
God’s Word calls us to submit to His will. He has a perfect plan for our lives. Every day of our life was ordained before we were ever even born! Even if His plans don’t line up with ours, He asks us to trust Him. Trust that He is good. He is trustworthy! And through this trust, God asks us to submit to His perfect will—even when His plan seems overwhelming. Even when His plan takes us down a road we would not have chosen. Those who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior have His Spirit as our guide. Even when the road we are on seems endless, filled with steep mountains and low valleys, He promises to put our feet on level ground. Allow His Spirit to lead you!
Pray: Father God, sometimes You take us down roads we didn’t plan. Sometimes we think we would rather do life differently. Lord, forgive us of this pride! Help us to let You be God and to submit to Your will for our life. Lead us by Your Spirit and put our feet on level ground. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Has your life turned out the way you expected? Do you struggle with that? God says His plans for us are good. Pray through this truth and ask God to help you accept the path He has for you!
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
