By Dawn Smiling
Have you noticed that many times God uses the things that we are facing in the natural realm to show us a spiritual principle? This year for me it's my health, and specifically my weight. It seems like only yesterday that I started my adventure to a healthier lifestyle. In reality, I've been working diligently for some time.
After my weigh in this week, I discovered I am twenty-five pounds lighter. Did you know that approximately 3,500 calories must be burned in order to lose a pound? That means I burned 87,500 calories. On this journey, I've had a lot of time to examine my situation. I had become comfortable in my heavier self. I could hide without exposing all of the wonderful things God knew about me.
As I let this first 25 pounds go, I reflect on other areas of my life where different types of weight consumed me. The weight of fear, doubt, insecurity, disappointment, and placing expectations in my timing. These are things I discovered when I decided to let God have this part of my life.
Abraham was 75 years old and Sarai was 65 when God made a covenant with Abraham and promised him he would be the father of many nations. Yet, Isaac was not born nine months later. Through a different set of circumstances, Ishmael was born. Ishmael was loved by Abraham, but he was not the promise God spoke of.
Isaac was born twenty-five years later when Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 years old. Where was God for Twenty-five years? I believe God’s Word that he did not forget His promise to Abraham. God was working things out for the benefit of all nations. God could have opened up Sarah’s womb, but He chose not to do so. God knew the perfect time to extend grace to Abraham and Sarah, and God has a perfect time to bless you!
During those twenty-five years of waiting, Abraham let go of the weight of doubt and insecurity. Sarah let go of the weight of moving ahead of God. After twenty-five years, Abraham’s faith was stronger. This time built Abraham’s faith when God told him to take Isaac to Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him. Abraham was a different man twenty-five years later. He was transformed.
God’s ultimate plan will always be carried out in His perfect timing. God will keep every promise He made to you. When you release the weight of fear, you will transform to new territories. When you release the weight of doubt, you will speak boldly in God and claim His promises for your life. When you release the weight of disappointment, God will bring new joy. When you release the weight of living in your time instead of God’s time, no matter how long it takes to see a change, healing will come.
I want to be transformed. I want God's timing, not my timing. I want my faith in Him to grow.
I am determined to stay on my journey... twenty- five and counting.
“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.” Genesis 21:1-2 NIV