A Magnolia's Heart Beats

WFW - Commitment...Trust...Action

One of the things I've learned in prayer is that when we pray, the Lord moves. Often, it isn't in the way that we want or even the timing that we want, but to see Him move in His perfect will leaves me humbled in spirit.

The word Hebrew word commit is galal. Some other English words for galal are roll, seek occasion, wallow, trust, remove, run down. This is the basic meaning of commit. Roll. It's a verb. That means it requires action. Sometimes, if you're like me, you have to re-commit, and more than once!

When we roll down our desires before God, seeking occasion for trusting God, removing any of our own plans, and running down our pleas before God in humility, we are truly releasing them to Him. We are stating that we can't do it ourselves. We are acknowledging His authority and ability to do that which we need.

One of the things I've committed to this year is going deeper in prayer with God. This means that my level of commitment must not waver. I trust Him to act when I commit my ways to Him.

The Hebrew word for ways is derek. This noun means:

1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
a) road, way, path
b) journey
c) direction
d) manner, habit, way
e) of course of life (fig.)
f) of moral character (fig.)

Every aspect of our lives should be committed to Christ. In prayer, including the paths and directions we take in life, as well as our character.

Once we have committed something to God, we need to trust Him. I once worked in a job where I was crispy fried. Burned out. I was at the end of my rope in the field I was in and after committing my future direction to God in prayer, letting Him know all that was on my heart and mind, I then had to trust God to act. It was beyond my ability to do anything. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to apply for a new job and take a chance of jumping out of the frying pan into the fire; however, I knew that to stay where I was I had no chance of staying sane. I had to trust God to tell me what my next step was.

The Hebrew word for trust is batach. It means:

1) to trust
a) (Qal)
1) to trust, trust in
2) to have confidence, be confident
3) to be bold
4) to be secure
b) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to trust, make secure
2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless

I felt confidence in leaving my worn out self with God in prayer and asking Him for direction and guidance. I felt that bold sense of security He so often gives when we are at odds with ourselves and don't know what the next step is. This is where trust came in, though. Nothing happened for a few weeks, and then, when I thought I could stand it any longer, He moved.

God is so awesome in His timing. Although I had not applied for any other position and had only told one trusted friend that I was praying about leaving my job, God stepped in and acted. I had committed and trusted God to act and He showed Himself faithful. The Hebrew word for act is `asah. It means:

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
a) (Qal)
1) to do, work, make, produce
a) to do
b) to work
c) to deal (with)
d) to act, act with effect, effect
2) to make
a) to make
b) to produce
c) to prepare
d) to make (an offering)
e) to attend to, put in order
f) to observe, celebrate
g) to acquire (property)
h) to appoint, ordain, institute
i) to bring about
j) to use
k) to spend, pass
b) (Niphal)
1) to be done
2) to be made
3) to be produced
4) to be offered
5) to be observed
6) to be used
c) (Pual) to be made
2) (Piel) to press, squeeze

One day, seemingly out of the blue, (but God!) I received a phone call from a former friend and co-worker's Director asking me if I was interested in a totally different position. Um, yes! As I recall, I interviewed at lunch the next day. He all but promised me the job, and I reconnected with my old co-worker, who, as it turns out, was still friends with that friend I had confided in. We had all worked together at one point years ago, and they actually threw my first bridal shower back in the day!

The position I was offered was "beneath" the position I held at the time and I would be taking a significant paycut to go there. Steve and I knew that the timing and the job was only by God's loving action toward me. Because I trusted in God and committed my way to Him, I was blessed. I was able to work in an environment that was much less pressure than what I was under at the time. Even though the pay was less, and we had just bought a brand new car, God provided someone who needed that car and I was able to sell it to them and pay it off, buying a used vehicle that saw me through some great road trips. In four years, I was offered a position in the same office making more money and I am now well over the salary level I would be had I stayed at the job I was doing, and am still surrounded by wonderful people. I love my job and although salary isn't important, what I'm saying is that He brought me back up and then some.

The best thing about Him bringing me to this job is that I met the best friend I have ever had in my life here on earth. She is my sister in Christ and we are able to share with each other on a daily basis things we need prayer on.

I can see how God has changed my life by this job for three reasons and in three ways:

Commitment in prayer

Trusting in Prayer

His Action through prayer

Is there something you need to commit to God? Trust Him to act. His Word assures us that He will! How can we commit? By total trust in Him to act.

T - Trust God to hear your prayer. "O you who hear prayer to you all men will come." ~ Psalm 65:2 (ESV)

R - Remember His love for you. "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;" ~ Psalm 103:11 (ESV)

U - Understand that His timing may be different than yours. "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." ~ Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

S - Seek to know the God you trust. "You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." ~ Psalm 27: (ESV)

T - Take everything, no matter how large or small, to God in prayer. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." ~ Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

The purpose of WFW is to share the Word of God through photo's and a verse. Amydeanne, over at The 160 Acre Woods, is our hostess. Be sure to link up and share your own, and drop her a thank you for hosting this wonderful meme each week. It always blesses my heart to read all the posts and see the photos and verses. This is a wonderful way to minister to others and to be ministered to by reading others posts. Please visit by clicking on the button below.