I must learn not to practice the art of interference. God has absolutely no use for me as a midwife. My function in the Kingdom is not to help with the birth, but with the process of growing after birth. Too often I have aborted God’s dealing with a person by saying, “I wouldn’t do that!” or “I would go in that direction!”
Peter was the great interferer. When Jesus announced His plan to submit to crucifixion, Peter jumped in immediately and tried to scotch the idea. “Get behind Me” was Jesus’ stern reply (Matthew 16:23). God will not have our hands meddling with His will. Still Peter did not learn. At the seaside after the resurrection, he was more concerned with John’s future than his own, and again Jesus had to correct him, “What is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:22).
It is very difficult for me to learn the difference between when God uses me and when I use myself. The problem is not one of motive, but discernment. I am so dull of eye and calloused of heart that I cannot see the delicate movements of God in the hearts of others. I want to rush them into the Kingdom; I want to push them to commitment; I want to solve all their problems in a trice. I blame people for their troubles by saying, in effect, “If you had only listened to me!”
When the Israelites received their daily portion of manna, some of them, instead of eating it naturally, cooked it with fancy recipes and the taste was that of “oil” (Numbers 11:8). How many lives have I made oily simply by meddling? I must always remember to be God’s tool, not God’s hand. Lord, let me always be Your ready helper, and let me always be “at hand” to You. Let me have the joy of being a “chosen vessel” for You (Acts 9:15, KJV).
“No man can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him—for the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever” (Psalm 49:7–8).
Daily with the King 