God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
This prayer is known by most Americans, even those who don’t consider themselves religious. We have all heard it or spoke it at one time or another in our lives. I never really understood for what it was until I embarked on this journey towards this thing called the World Race.
As I fundraise and prepare for launch, there are so many things that I cannot change and cannot control. Where the money will come from, what will happen on the race, and so much more. At times I feel overwhelmed with all that I cannot change and cannot control about this new journey.
There are those things, however, that I do have the authority to change. Mostly, me. My attitude about it all. My perspective. My current relationships. My intentionality in all of these things. These are things that I CAN change. These are things that I haven’t had wisdom to realize are my responsibility to change.
As of late, i haven’t been changing them. I have been letting my perspective go unchanging, which means that it has been out of sync with the perspective of Heaven. I haven’t been changing my current relationships: intentionality to bring them higher, to bring my relationships into a heavenly place in the midst of prosperity and in the midst of conflict.
While the things that I cannot change sometimes seem overwhelming, these are never the things that truly get me. These look are not disguised. They look insurmountable from the start so relying on God is the only obvious option. It is always the things that I have the power to change that are the quickest to bring me down. These are the ones that come disguised. They come masked, and my pride keeps me from relying on God or even the people around me. These are the areas in which I am grateful today for God’s unfailing grace. These are the things that have shaped me and continue to shape me into the person I am to become. That is why wisdom is so important.
Proverbs 4: 6-7 says, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
We so need his wisdom in all situations because he doesn’t call us to view our circumstances, relationships, or any other aspect of our lives from the outside. He has called us to be the leading ladies (or leading men) of our lives.
Today, I am thankful for a God who is faithful to reveal his purpose in our lives. I am thankful for a God who knew what he was getting into when he chose us and chose us anyways. I am thankful for a God who gives wisdom to those who seek it. James 1: 5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
So let’s get wisdom. Let’s search it out like silver as we seek his face that he might refine us like the gold.
