How do you know that it was God, and not you?

I was faced with a major dilemma this morning regarding what to blog about. I had a strong desire to write about relationships, and how you deeply impact everyone you come in contact with on a daily basis. I will write about that, maybe today, or maybe tomorrow. I received a quote though this morning, that just blew me away. This quote rocked my world, and I imagine it make shake your world up a little bit as well, so I would like to share it, and share what it means to me.

"A man who prays without ceasing, if he achieves something, knows why he achieved it, and can take no pride in it... for he cannot attribute it to his own powers, but attributes all his achievements to God, always renders thanks to him and constantly
calls upon him, trembling lest he be deprived of help."

-- Dorotheus of Gaza

Wow. Isn't that pretty powerful, and right on the mark? I will go into the quote in a second, but first, I always like to learn more about who is talking to us. Who the man is that shares these wise words with us. It really helps me to understand what the person is saying. Unfortunatly, I can't find too much on Dortheus, but I did find that he founded his own monastary in the Middle East, and came from a wealthy family. I think the fact that he comes from money yet still holds his faith in God above his own works, says a ton about his character.

Let's look at what the quote says. It's pretty cut and dry. If you give a situation, relationship or anything to God, then you won't be misled! How about an example that most people could relate to.

If you are in a relationship, and you make your first priority God, and His will, then the relationship will honor him. If the relationship is not in God's plan, then it will end. If it is in his plan, then it will be so much greater than we could ever plan. Why? We would know that we had nothing to do with it. Sure we were loving, and we followed Christ as best as we could, although we probably failed a lot, but first and formost, we gave God what was His.

This quote is a lot tougher to explain than I thought it would be. I think that the reason I am finding it so difficult is likely because Father Dorotheus was so great with his words, that he explained it thoroughly with just a couple of sentances. Isn't it a great quote. I am going to take this challenge to be more concious of the problems and successes that I hold onto, and keep from God, and to release and offer them to God.

I am going to change gears just slightly and look at how this all relates to God's planning.

I have just entered into an important new season of my life which I am very excited about...I am excited that for the first time, I feel as if I have a support system around me that will remind me to give glory, and thanks to God for all of His goodness. Two years ago, if you gave me a pen and paper, and let me ask God for exactly what I wanted in my life two years ago, here's what I would have said-

1. A great church family. (Just like in high school)
2. A group of friends who are believers. (Just like my youth group)
3. A nice girlfriend. (Just like the girl I dated in high school)
4. A good job in sports. (Just like my past ones)
5. A nice apartment. (Something in my then favorite area called "Wrigleyville")

That's what I would have asked for. That would have been PERFECT in my eyes. That list was created from my heart, and my mind though. I didn't pray about that. I didn't wan't to hear what God wanted for me. Come on...I wanted to be a part of a good church, with Christian friends, a Christian girlfriend, I only wanted good things, so why do I need God's help. I felt as if God was busy, so I could make these good decisions on my own. I think this is common among Christians. If you seek good things, then you are doing well.

Looking at the situation, there was one thing missing from far atop that list. It was a relationship with God that included a faith that asks no questions. A faith that know's God is with me, and will always guide me where He wants me, and for infallible reasons. Upon realizing that, let's look at where things on that list fell-

1. A great church family. (I am a member of the same church that I was two years ago, but it's completely different. I take that back. The church isn't very different...I am. The church that was a building, has now become a home. I have met so many incredible people there, and have been called to love, serve and worship, and it is incredible. I go back home and realize that my old church was perfect for me when I was in high school, but is not a perfect fit for me anymore. God knew what he was doing by removing me from that community and dropping me in a new one.)

2. A great group of friends who are believers. (Holy Cow. I had a cool group of youth group friends in high school, but I can't even compare them to what God has provided me with this year. Not that they are any better, but just that they are absolutely perfect for me now. I have a group of friends that get me, that love me, that are incredibly fun and encouraging to be around. Picasso couldn't paint a picture of a better group of people. I also just joined a small group. This group of guys is going to be such a great group to help me grow as a Christian, and help me to learn an incredible amount, while sharing some quality fellowship time.)

3. A nice girlfriend. (This is one that I struggle with a lot, because since my first real relationship in high school, I have expected a lot out of a relationship. My high school girlfriend was a strong Christian who helped lead me to Christ. Those are big shoes to fill. I dated some through college, and enjoyed getting to know people well, but that's all I ever felt. I felt as if I had gotten to know a few people very well, and then the relationships ended. I never felt moved...I wasn't growing. I was begining to think that relationships were only about finding what you don't like about others. Well, this summer I met a really great young lady. I wasn't expecting her, and I was actually pretty sure that I wanted to take some time alone, to know myself better, and why relationships seemed to lack so much. We have spent much of the last two months together, and I feel as if I am growing daily, and there is no discomfort. I don't feel like there is always something to fix about her or about myself so that she will like me. It's a pleasently weird feeling. Especially in a time when I wanted no such relationship, I couldn't have even imagined such a beautiful relationship on the horizon.)

4. A good job in sports. (This is a no brainer. I thought that I was happy because I was doing what I loved to do. Well, God had a much bigger plan. I am now working for a blindness organization, and love every minute of what I am doing. I also started my own non profit, Give Your Gifts, which couldn't be cooler! Praise God!)

5. A nice apartment. (Again, God gave me so much more than I could ever imagine. That's the resounding theme here. He gave me the opportunity to buy a nice condo, in a great area, and for a good price.)


As you can see, I was only able to want based on what I knew from the past. I had no idea what miracles God had up his sleave for me. That's exactly what they are too...miracles. With all these wonderful gifts comes a great deal of responsability. Responsability to give what I can to help others, and to praise and thank God daily for his commitment to me. I don't deserve any of this. I believe that God blesses us with gifts that he thinks we can use to create the most good. I need to do that for Him! This season in my life I will be focusing on honoring God, and giving him everything in my life...making him the center of my relationships...remembering that any success comes from him...and humbling myself before him by attempting to not create my own plan for things.