Counterculture
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort,but on God's mercy
-Romans 9:16
We've been taught culturally to "work hard", "Outwork your competition" (Many times fighting against those whom we should be fighting for.) "Be the hardest worker in the room."
Jesus said that God, our Father in Heaven, already knowsevery single one of our needs and the resources necessary to carry out his will in our lives and the purpose we are called to.
Focusing and striving for these things (desires, needs &ambitions) is something pagans do, but we, as children of God, should focus on his kingdom & righteousness, The revelation of these two in our hearts, to be able to orient our actions towards an active pursuit and advancement ofthem, and that out of this perspective & approach in our lives journey all things needed (Spiritually, Intellectually, Emotionally & Materially) for this purpose will flow, while every single one of our personal needs will be met alongside with it. (Matthew 6:32-33)
Striving for our own ambitions, "hustling hard," and relying on our own strength, might, and capability can be a vane, superficial, and futile waste of energy, time, and resources.
God does get pleased, takes honor, and calls us to be strongand courageous, but whenever he is alongside us in our endeavors. (Joshua 1:9)
"We might have the proper attitude and correct approachbut on the wrong assignment for inadequate reasons." As I heard my pastor say.
Let us come to a place of full surrender, where we relymainly & primarily on his grace & mercy, his guidance and instruction, and an alignment with his will to be able to access his power.
It is not in our power and might that he works best, it's not in our striving, but in our weakness expressed through vulnerability towards him that his power works best.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
When we get to the place of recognition that: his mercy& grace are sufficient & will overtake us and deliver us from any and every situation, that: there's nothing intrinsic in me that will carry me through, but is him alone, and whatever strength or courage I might want to bring to the table, should be focused in striving only in being aligned with his will revealed & manifested through his spirit.
We are not sufficient, his grace is.
Let us, therefore, rely on his mercy, not on our efforts ordesires.
