In your way and in your time…..

At the start of this new year, I made a couple of resolutions. Nothing unusual about that. I always do. No, what is unusual is that I am on my way to actually seeing one of them through.

Having never danced in my life, I resolved to learn to dance this year. So after Easter, I joined a Ceroc class and last week, I moved on from the Beginners to the Intermediate class. I am learning to dance! Last night was the best session so far. I am improving and learning every week. Last night was interesting though, because for me, it was all about learning to let go and relax and be led by someone else. In every area of my life, I struggle with that!  In Ceroc, the man you are dancing with dictates what move you do next. As a woman, you have to wait for him to prompt you, to lead you in the right way. And every man you dance with has a slightly different way of doing that, a different dance personality that you have to listen to and get to know.

I have a long, long way to go.

Most of us struggle with being led, I think. Being told what to do. Relaxing into someone else making the decisions and dictating the agenda. I experienced this in the States where I had to go with the flow, where EVERYTHING  was organised for me……..I had to fight making suggestions or reflecting on how something could be done better…..I was not in charge. Those of you who’ve been to any event with me where someone else is in charge will know how hard I find this!

I’m learning a lot about how positive letting go and letting someone else is for me though. Not just on the dancefloor, but in my work and in my exercise (I do – well attempt – everything that is asked of me in Yoga and Pilates)……even occasionally in my home too!

And I’m learning about what it is to let go and let God too. I can come up with all sorts of reasons why something should be done differently from how it is currently panning out in my life, from how God could intervene and do it differently….except really? Am I actually entertaining the thought that I could show God a thing or two? Who am I kidding? Maybe relaxing and going with the flow where God is concerned is the best way. Well, of course it is.

This reminded me with how as a teenager, I struggled with this. I had a poster on my wall saying ‘Let go and let God.’ There was a song we sang called ‘Do not strive’. And I wanted this so much. I wanted to be committed to God. I was striving to not strive! Not sure much has changed.

This was another song I loved back in the day – a lesser known Graham Kendrick song that is not even available on Youtube for you all to enjoy!

In your way and in your time
That’s how it’s gonna be in my life
And in your perfect way I’ll rest my weary mind
And as you lead I’ll follow close behind
And in your presence I will know your peace is mine
In your time there is rest, there is rest

In your way and in your time
That’s how it’s gonna be in my life
Dear Jesus, soothe me now till all my strivings cease
kiss me with the beauty of your peace
And I will wait and not be anxious at the time
In your time there is rest, there is rest

And though some prayers I’ve prayed
May seem unanswered yet
You never come too quickly or too late
And I will wait and I will not regret the time
In your time there is rest, there is rest

Graham Kendrick
Copyright © 1976 Thankyou Music

This song does not appear to be about striving to let go. It’s about the rest and peace and soothing and freedom from anxiety that comes from trusting God 100%. Trusting God’s way and God’s time. My soul yearns for this.

So let’s look at the story of Ahab in 1 Kings 20 and see why I’ve said all this this morning.

Things are pretty much outside King Ahab’s control. Ben-Hadad king of Aram is calling the shots. When he demands Ahab’s silver and gold and the best of his wives and children, he gives them to him. Ahad is in no position to argue. Ben-Hadad has mustered his armies and horses and chariots – he holds all the cards. What he has demanded is not enough – he then threatens to come and take everything of value from Ahab’s palace. At this, Ahab’s advisors advise him to stand strong and refuse this demand. Ben Hadad prepares to attack. Ahab hopes that Ban Hadad’s confidence in his victory is premature –

‘One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.’  1 Kings 20:11

Of course it is. It’s all about God’s way and God’s time. And God’s way is all about trust. He expects Ahab to start the battle and send in his junior officers – what kind of chance do they stand? None in human terms. But by turning the impossible into the possible, God will make sure the glory goes to Him.

Although Ben Hadad’s advisors are only partly convinced –

Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they.  1 Kings 20:23

So the next spring, the two armies fight it out on the plains. And this is what God says –

This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’ 1 Kings 20:28

So that the glory goes to Him.

Ben Hadad’s army is defeated but Ahab allows Ben Hadad to go free. He’s taking control again and making his own decisions and God is not pleased –

“This is what the Lord says: ‘You have set free a man I had determined should die. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.’”  1 Kings 20:42

This seems harsh but only God knows Ahab’s heart. His response is telling though –

Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went to his palace in Samaria.  1 Kings 20:43

Because when things don’t go the way we want them too, we can become sullen and angry and resentful.

When God doesn’t do things our way, we can become sullen and angry and resentful.

When other people don’t do things how we want them done, we can become sullen and angry and resentful.

When things don’t go according to our plan, we can become sullen and angry and resentful.

When things don’t work our in our timescale, we can become sullen and angry and resentful.

And where is the rest and peace and soothing and freedom from anxiety that comes from trusting God 100% then?