It's not about me. Whatever "it" is, it's definitely not about me. Life, worship, power, fame, adoration, strength - I am not the focus of any of it. And boy, has this become evident to me this week.
I have a friend whose baby was born two days ago. She is a beautiful, chunky-cheeked, dark-haired little thing who was not expected to survive outside of the womb. The prognosis was grim. And every single ultrasound confirmed that prognosis. She just wasn't developing in a way that would allow her to survive. Her chest was too small for her lungs to develop. She had no muscle tone. Her bones were too short. And that was that.
Furthermore, this friend gave birth to a baby girl a few years ago who had the same condition. That child only survived a few precious minutes. So we all knew what was going to happen this time. We didn't do a baby shower. We didn't talk about the child's future. We just prayed and prayed and prayed for her parents. We accepted what we knew would happen based on our experience.
BUT WAIT JUST A MINUTE!!! Our God doesn't act based on our experience. He is not restricted to only perform miracles for which we ask. His power is not limited by medical science, by us...by me. He is wholly independent of me. He does not need me, my approval, my instructions, or my pleading in order to act on my behalf - or my friend's.
Yes, God loves me and has fully paid the price for me to be His. He does hear my prayers and generously answers. My relationship with Him is deeply personal and intense. But the God who created the universe does not need my permission. Whether I choose to serve Him or praise Him does not change who He is. He just is.
So, with great humility, it is my privilege to pray for my friend's daughter. That precious baby's health is still precarious. But her bones are developed and she is breathing on her own. On her own!!! And with a renewed awe of who He is, I am praising the God whose "ways are above my ways and thoughts are above my thoughts." Amen.
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