God won’t give you more than you can handle. It’s a familiar phrase, one I usually lean on in times of suffering, to remind myself that it’s going to be okay.
Then I heard it from a different angle – a perspective shift that has provided peace through a perfectly timed “aha moment”.
God won’t reveal more to you until you understand what you already know.
~Ravi Zacharias
Aha. That explains all the weird déjà vu moments I’ve been having – learning lessons in a way that I could only describe as remembering what I already knew. It’s been frustrating because I didn’t understand why I haven’t moved on. Why I’m having to start over. Why previous Bible verses or stories seem brand new, yet I know I’ve heard them all before.
Perhaps it’s because I didn’t understand what God had already taught me. Maybe I thought I did, but my actions prove otherwise.
I remember when my kids were babies, and they were finally big enough to sit in a high chair at the table with us to eat dinner. Those with teeth would be enjoying a mouth-watering, melty-cheese, perfectly-golden-crust pizza. Those without teeth would be served a healthy but boring bowl of mashed squash.
The squash eater could see the deliciousness and smell the tantalizing aroma. Irritation clouded his face as he realized that I wasn’t sharing what he could see just beyond his plate. He would reach for it, whine for it, cry for it, and finally throw his less appealing squash down on the floor in frustration. I received glares of dissatisfaction, my hugs were deflected, and my reassurances that squash was good for him were refused.
I knew I couldn’t give in no matter how cute his pouty lip was or how sincerely his sad eyes begged me. I knew the hazards of choking, and I knew he would eventually get to enjoy the awesomeness of pizza once he learned to chew. My love for him was great enough to stop me from giving him more than he could handle.
Aha. So here I am years later, reaching out for God. Whining for more, crying to understand, begging to see more of my life path so I know which way to go. Perhaps His love for me is great enough to stop Him from revealing more until I understand and obey what He’s already shown me. Throwing my squash down on the floor isn’t going to persuade the One who already knows what I can and can’t handle. I need to obediently practice chewing the food He gave me. He’s not withholding necessary information, he’s saving me from choking while providing exactly what I need to live in the moment.
Live in the moment. Another familiar phrase, but I’m learning it’s more than just words. I must focus on what He has already given and make sure I understand every bit of it so I am ready to receive more. I must obey and trust and follow the current instructions, and not get caught up in looking for what is just beyond my plate. It may seem like mashed squash isn’t important enough, but whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much (Luke 16:10).
In a world that says “If you want it, go get it,” I must say, “if you want it, patiently wait for it to be given to you by thoroughly learning His ways.” I must be willing to turn down the quick-fix that yields a sub-par man-made result. I must keep my eyes on Jesus, let the Holy Spirit refine me, and wait to accept the undeniably better supernatural reward.
Here’s what I know for sure – He didn’t bring us this far to just leave us in the dark. There is more, when we are ready.
I pray for all who are searching, using Paul’s words from Ephesians 1:17-19…I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
Amen.
Today’s musical inspiration is brought to you by Lauren Daigle – Trust In You.
Be confident in this: that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 1:6
thepath2eternity 