Whose Agenda Is It Anyway?

My thoughts:

The Bible study that we had in our fellowship was about Judges 4 and 5, about the story of Deborah and Barak. After each story, our Bible study leader would then give us the applications of the story in our lives today. One of the application struck me among others and has been bothering me for some time now - missing out in God's agenda.

There are two interpretations for me here. The first one tackles really missing out in God's agenda. The other tribes who did not join the fight against Sisera did not glorify God because they did not help their brothers in need. In return, they did not experience the miracle of God in battle. I'm sure only the ones who joined the battle had a life-changing experience. It is the same thing with us today. We miss out on knowing Him deeper when we do not put ourselves closer to Him. When we choose to do other things before God, we might not get another chance to do so. So grab the chance whenever you have to serve Him wholeheartedly and I'm sure it will impact your lives as well. (Get a ministry)

The next one focuses on the question: Whose agenda is it anyway? While I was pondering upon the application, this question popped out of nowhere. Anyway, I started to think about it seriously and the outcome startled me. We say that we should participate in God's agenda, but most of the time, I really think that we let God participate in OUR agenda or even not at all. It seems to me that I have lived most of my time enjoying myself and doing the things that I like especially during haapy days, but when problems come, that's the only time that we call on our "genie" - God. Sometimes we do participate in God's agenda, but we still push our agenda with selfish motives - something unseen.

Combining the two interpretations, I had formed a strong conclusion: Many times we give excuses and reasons that are selfish in nature, so we miss out/couldn't particpate in God's agenda. Other times we do particpate in God's agenda, but we still could not fully experience God and see God's greater vision because we serve Him halfhearted and with self-centered intentions.

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My prayer:

Lord Jesus, I know that I am guilty of being selfish. There are many times that I've missed out in showing others your glory because I try to outshine you. There are times that I could have spent with you but I did not make time for it or am just too lazy to do so. Please pardon my sins today. Please help me learn this lesson as leaders also fall into this trap. I pray that I will humble myself before you and give you back all the glory. I pray that I could make the most of every opportunity given to me by serving You without any selfish reasons so that my offering will pleasing to You and may reflect You so that when people engage with me or join me, they might glorify Your name! This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen