Helping God Help You!

Have you ever had someone come right up and offer you something that you have always wanted? Just walk right up to you on the street and offer you the house, or car, or job....or whatever that you have been desiring? Probably not. Chances are anything you have in life you have worked to have it. Hopefully that is a value that was instilled in you at a very young age. I know it was for me and it is something I have tried to teach my kids. But what about as a Christian? Do we believe that the things we ask God for are supposed to just fall into our lap....or are we supposed to work for them?
I have met so many people in my life that want God to show up in a big way in their life, but then when I've asked the question "are you doing your part to make sure God can do that for you?" I get looked at like I just invented some new idea. I've met people who are asking God to open doors to a job or a career advancement. For God to put them into the perfect home. For God to provide a better or more reliable car. For Him to bring an amazing spouse into their life. Or even for direction in the ministry they should be involved in. And many times the person isn't really doing anything more than praying about it. But why? Why is it that all we do sometimes is cry out to God for Him to move in our lives, but we don't do anything to help Him move? When I read about Abraham, or Moses, or David I read about men who put things into action. Yes they relied completely on God for direction and they were obedient to God when it came time to know when to move and when not to, but they did not just sit and pray. When we are seeking God to do things in our lives we have to willing to get up and walk through the doors that He is opening. For instance you can't be praying for God to open doors to a job and yet you are not applying at places. I'm not saying God does not just put things right in front of us sometimes....I know He does. I have personally seen Him do this. But what I am saying is that most of the stories I read in the bible, and most of the times that I have watched God move in my life and the lives of people I know, their actions were an act of faith that they were going to do what they could do...and trust God will do the rest. I believe God will direct your footsteps, but I strongly believe that He also wants you to get up and walk! More than likely your not going to get a call from someone offering you the job that meets all your needs. Someone is not going to park that car in front of your house and hand you the keys. And the spouse God has for you is not going to knock on your door and introduce themselves to you. But I do believe that when the heart is pure, the motives are right and we are faithful with what God has already provided to us....then we can go to God about these things and know that He will help us. Matthew 6:31-33 tells us that if we seek the kingdom of God first He will supply our needs. Not our "wants"...but our needs.
In Joshua 6 we read about how God gave Jericho to Joshua, and in there you won't read that God told them to sit tight and He would take care of it all and they could just walk in. But what you will read is how God gave them a set of instructions and put them into action. And even if they didn't fully understand the point of why God wanted them to walk around the city....they did it. And their action, which was done out of obedience, showed God that they really wanted it. And God provided as He said He would. Just like He will with you and I.
So whatever it is that you have by crying out to God for, ask Him what action He needs out of you. If there is more that He wants you to do, He will show you when He knows your willing to do it. Sometimes He wants to teach us too...not just provide for us. So open yourself up to allow Him to show you, or teach you, whatever He wants to as He is answering your prayers. Show Him that your heart is pure in your requests and you are willing to do what is required from you in order for Him to move in your life.
God we thank You that you delight in providing for us. And I pray that we are always grateful for what you have already provided for us. Holy Spirit help us to keep our hearts pure in our desires. Help us to be willing to do what is required of us. And help us to be "teachable" as God leads us into the things that He has for us. And let our lives always reflect Your goodness to others. In Jesus name, Amen