Over-Thinking Assignments

Why did you not obey the LORD ? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD ?" "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:19-22

It seems so obvious that what Saul did was wrong. He went beyond what the LORD had asked him and did as he thought was right. But when we look at ourselves, don't we do the exact same thing? When God calls on us to carry out a task, don't we take it a step further and get into trouble or at least confusion? When God calls on us to do something, we over-complicate the task and before you know it we've lost the heart of God and replaced it with something much lesser. Simplifying the task God gave us is to trust Him; complicating the task is to take control ourselves, relying less on Him. So what it all comes down to is this: life becomes complicated because we think for God.

I'm so guilty of this! I'm the poster boy for "Paralysis by Analysis!" I look at some of my easier choices in life and how God has used that for kingdom works; and compare that to more difficult choices. Where did God move the most? Was the task that great?

The biggest assignment God has given me this past year was to become the best husband I could be to Michelle. Even though this is a huge responsibility the task is quite simple. I need to love my wife the way God intended. God designed us so that we follow, in order; Jesus --> Family --> Ministry (church/work/neighbors...). This I know, it's simple and not complicated. But my mind starts thinking about how to do this and say, Sundays are His days, Monday/Wed/Fridays are my wife's days and Tues/Thursdays are ministry days.

What's wrong with this picture? I'm becoming legalistic! What happens if I'm at ministry on Tuesday but my family needs me on that same day; do I tell my family I can't because today is dedicated to ministry? And what happens if I'm with my family and God calls me to minister to a person with only hours to live? What's happening here is that I'm worrying about the 2nd step, or next 10 steps! Is this how God gave instructions to Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul, James, etc...? No, He gave them just what they needed to take the very next step... simple for those who believe.

I'm not saying to throw all appointments and scheduling out the door and live life as the wind takes us. I believe God wants us to keep focus on Him and let Him do all the planning and decisions so that we can worship Him as we do those things. When our minds are free from anxiety and confusion our hearts are in tune with God's voice. This will allow us to be sensitive the the promptings of the Holy Spirit to: go, stop, turn & reach out... life becomes simpler but more effective.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unending reach into our hearts. You are so faithful and powerful yet we still don't trust You enough to let you do what You desire. Help us Lord, to let go of over-complicating the tasks and assignments You give us. We love You, we trust You. Amen!