EPIKOS CHURCH - REAL PEOPLE. REAL STORIES. AMAZING GOD.

My Epiphany, About My Stupidity

9/26/2012

 
I can tend to be a shoot first and ask questions later type of person.  I started my own business at 16, got married at 18, owned several other businesses by my early twenties and nearly got divorced by then too.  The problem with doing whatever seems right at the moment is that mistakes are easier to make than they are to clean up.  I'm in my thirties now and still cleaning up debt from some bad business and finance decisions.  And only by the grace of God am I still enjoying the wonderful wife He blessed me with at 18.  If I had just followed my own quick decisions I'd be divorced and I'd still be trying to clean up that mess too.

The fact that I can be so quick  to take action isn't always bad though.  Many times it has helped me do something that others may not do because they get to wound up with worry or fear.  I don't usually have that problem.  When I have an idea I usually think that it will work so I'm not afraid to give it a try.  This confidence can translate quickly to independence.  When I say independence I mean that I believe I can do things without spending time with God ro get ready or depending on His help. It's like "Hey, God gave me this mind and these ideas so I'm taking action and assuming He's going to be with me."  With this type of mentality I don't really have much time or need for prayer.  Why pray about it when I can be doing it instead?  Besides do I really need to plead with God to help me do something that helps others?  Probably not, after all He loves people more than I do.

Well I've had an epiphany about my stupidity.  I realize that even though some of my outreach activities have been fruitful I've been doing things the hard way.  I've been chopping down trees with a dull ax.  

I thought praying was about begging God to do something that He already wanted to do anyway and it seemed like a waste of time.  But now I realize that it's not about twisting God's arm, it's really about humility.  It's about coming to God and saying "I'm a doer and I want to get things done. I'm coming to you because I know that there is nothing that I can do with this time that would help me get the job done more than asking for your  help and waiting on you.  God even if I know what you want me to do I am waiting for your strength and wisdom and your presence to help me get it done."

As the old saying goes "If I had an hour to chop down a tree, I'd spend 45 minutes sharpening my ax."  Even if some trees finally fell down I've been swinging a dull blade.  I'm going to spend time in prayer with the ax maker and letting Him get me ready before I swing myself into things.

My new life is a prayer life.  Not because I believe that I have to convince God to do something good. Not because I believe I have to convince Him to care about people. And not because I don't want to take action and be productive.  But because I realize that waiting on His presence and power is the most productive thing I can do. 
2 Comments
Louisa
9/26/2012 10:58:44 am

Andy, my issue is the exact opposite. There's a problem, an issue, a something or other, I think, maybe, I hear God give me a word, and I pray, ponder, wait, and meditate...and then the kairos time is - Gone! Yikes! Actually I responded to your blog so quickly - even after prayer that I'm pondering deleting my response! Not going to do that this time though. Here goes the bold and blundering:-) Blessings and peace to you! Now I will pray about pressing the submit button...............amen:-)

Reply
Andy
9/26/2012 02:24:21 pm

Louisa, I'm not sure you have as much of a waiting problem as you think :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Andy Elliott

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    March 2016
    January 2014
    November 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    Categories

    All
    Boldness
    Cross
    Divine Appointments
    Evangelism
    Faith
    Friends
    Fulfillment
    God
    Gospel
    Grace
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Spirit
    Humility
    Jesus
    Obedience
    Peace
    Pride
    Salvation

    RSS Feed

About US
Contact & Location
Leadership
Mission
Teaching
Connect
United Prayer
Pray Together
Community Groups
Men's Ministry
​Women's Ministry
Young Adults
Elevate - 6th-12th
Kidzone - K-5th
Epikos Events
Bend Give & Serve

Media
Blogs
Message Audio
E-Newsletter
Epikos Youtube
More
Testimonies
Facility Rental
Give



  • Home
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Vision & Mission
    • Teaching
  • Connect
    • Sunday Service
    • United Prayer
    • Community Groups
    • Men's Ministry
    • Women's Ministry
    • Elevate - Youth Group
    • Kidzone
    • Volunteer
  • Media
    • Calendar
    • Blogs >
      • Phil Harris
      • Shanda Harris
      • Epikos Community
    • Audio
    • Epikos Youtube
  • Give
    • Nominate a Need
    • Support Epikos Church
    • Bend Give & Serve
  • Missions Near and Far
  • Contact & Location
  • Testimonies
  • Facility Rental
  • Download our App
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Vision & Mission
    • Teaching
  • Connect
    • Sunday Service
    • United Prayer
    • Community Groups
    • Men's Ministry
    • Women's Ministry
    • Elevate - Youth Group
    • Kidzone
    • Volunteer
  • Media
    • Calendar
    • Blogs >
      • Phil Harris
      • Shanda Harris
      • Epikos Community
    • Audio
    • Epikos Youtube
  • Give
    • Nominate a Need
    • Support Epikos Church
    • Bend Give & Serve
  • Missions Near and Far
  • Contact & Location
  • Testimonies
  • Facility Rental
  • Download our App
✕