I’ll Have What She’s Having!

Gwen SmithBlog, Christian Living, Comparison, Confession, Control, Devotions, Freedom, Holiness, Prayer, Priorities, Social Media, Temptation, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Worship 53 Comments

Biggest Need

It was spring break and we were home. Facebook posts from friends were showcasing sandy beaches, yummy meals, and fancy-schmancy hotel lobbies and pools. I was doing laundry, finishing up my taxes {Yay!} and wrestling with the cravings stirred by what others had and were doing.

As I turned to the Word of God I was reminded that none of this is new. I was also reminded and convicted that looking at and longing for what other people have, are, and do is NOT God’s best for me.

In the Bible, the Lord used a strand of strugglers just like you and me. I’m so glad about that. Aren’t you?

The book of 1 Samuel introduces us to a woman named Hannah who was deeply troubled, and ridden with aches of longing. Her life was complicated, but she knew where to turn in her turmoil. She poured out her soul to God and He heard her cries (1 Samuel 1:10, 19). In time, Hannah gave birth to a son named Samuel and she gave him over to the Lord for His service.

Samuel was raised in the house of God, where he grew in stature and in favor with both God and man (1 Samuel 2:26). As a young man, the Lord spoke to Him and through Him. As years went by, the incredible power of God was seen and dispensed through Samuel who served the Lord as a prophet, priest, judge and leader of Israel, yet somehow his own children rejected God.

Now, I’m not sure why, but when Samuel grew old, he appointed his wayward sons as the next leaders of Israel (1 Samuel 8:1). The elders took note that Samuel’s two sons were not walking with the Lord and they were understandably disturbed. So they plotted and they planned… and reasoned as best they could… but they didn’t pray. They looked to their left and to their right.

Everybody else had a king, they observed. We should have one, too!

Israel – the nation chosen by God to be set apart, to be His nation, to follow His commands – wanted a king. An earthly leader instead of an invisible King of kings.

They wanted what everybody else had.

They went to Samuel, and pleaded with him. “But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 8:6)

Samuel went to God with the issue. The people of Israel did not look to God, but instead to one another. Then they refused to listen to the counsel of Samuel. They wanted what they wanted and they wanted it now.

God gave them a warning through Samuel that their desires were not His. Then, convinced that they knew what was best for them, the Israelites moved in the direction of their logical longings. Not toward the counsel of the Lord or the leadership they truly desired.

“But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations…” (1 Samuel 8:19-20a, emphasis mine)

Man, that’s familiar behavior! I know it well. We can all be like that on any given day, can’t we?

C’mon! Let’s be honest here. You and I do this all the time.

We look at other people’s jobs, other people’s houses, other people’s Facebook boastings, other people’s talents, other people’s marriages, other people’s clothing, other people’s accomplishments, other people’s children, other people’s bank accounts, and even other people’s prayer journals and think, “I want what she’s got!”

We think, “If I can only get/do/have/achieve that, I will be happy.”

When all the while, what we really need is more of Jesus. Our biggest need is a deep, soul-level relationship with God. Where we seek Him, know Him, trust Him, savor Him, walk in His ways, and serve in His name.

Friends, we need to stop looking to our left and to our right, and instead look up {to Jesus}, bow down {in humility, repentance, and surrender}, move forward {in healing, forgiveness, sanctification, and hope} and grow {in grace, love, holiness, service, vision, wisdom, and contentment}.

We need to stop the conversations that begin and end with, “I’ll have what she’s having!” And instead, pour out our souls to God in honest prayer, seeking true prosperity: His heart – His plans – His will. Then we will be equipped by His Spirit to trust that where He leads and what He allows is not only sufficient but best.

Lord, You are the Author and Perfector of my faith, and I’m so glad. Please forgive me for thinking that _________________ is going to bring me happiness and remove any desires within me that do not align with Your will for me in Christ Jesus.
I want what You want for me… and I thank you that Your Spirit enables me to experience all the love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness and goodness I ever need.
Fill me fresh with Your presence and vision today, Lord.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

LISTEN to this song I co-wrote called, “Center of Surrender.” Allow the lyric to lead you to a deeper place of worship today.

Thanks for doing life with me! I cherish your comments and would love to hear how the Lord is speaking to you today. CLICK HERE to comment on my blog.

Blessings in Grace,
Gwen

The song Center of Surrender is featured on my Uncluttered CD. You can download the song from iTunes or Amazon – or order a physical CD in my bookstore.

 

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Comments 53

  1. I loved the song. Very motivating and th3 words were very true. We must surrender and learn to trust Jesus in all things.

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  5. Thank you Gwen. Am humbled, am encouraged and am inspired by you. I need to be reminded daily that I should surrender my all to God. To look up to him as my Provider and be still and know He is with me always.

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  7. Hi Gwen!
    Thank you for being God’s mouthpiece today. I’m being reminded that God’s ways and plans are far more better than what we have seen and comprehended for the moment-for He is ultimately the great Father who always wants the best for His children. This message has been an encouragement for me today. I’ve been bothered for quite a while with my employment status for i want to move to a nearer place to work yet still there are a number of obstacles that hinders or delay this transfer. I’m wandering if what really God’s plan for me. But because of this message i’m encourage more to be still and know God’s plan is the best for me and that i must be patient enough to wait for His right time.

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  8. Just read your devotion and listened to the song . It is so very true. All of the GIG messages are so helpful to start each day. Many of us are reading and being blessed . Thank you.

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  9. I really enjoy your insight in the Word of God and how it effects us daily. Today I have to admit as I grow older in my Christian life and age, I know that wanting what others have doesn’t make you happy. I feel like Paul I am content whether be in want or plenty and have been in both, but know that my Savior will be their in all. My need is to see us as a pastor and wife to be able to retire and my husband not have to full time job to make it. But in my heart I know God will take care of us in that time. I do enjoy your daily devotions and be able express my feelings and you were a answer to prayer.

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  10. Gwen, thank you for allowing the Lord to work through you. I woke up this morning feeling put out when all I’m really struggling with is doing all for Him. It amazes me still how my heart and mind are changed when I am reminded that if I surrender all and do all for His glory.

    Thank you for the reminder as I continue my day doing all for the glory of God.c

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  11. Gwen, thank you for this devotional this morning struggling with many things in life and your words hit home for me. Surrender to God so difficult to do following God’s way doing his will. What is his will? Am I following my heart or God’s path for my life? These are my prayers lately, so thank you for these words today and the song . Blessings to you. Diana

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      Diana, this struggle is something we all go through. Just keep lifting your eyes to Jesus and trust that He is there to love you and guide you.

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  12. Thank you very much. Your message is very useful and it is encouraging us all. May God bless your ministries.

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  14. Dear Gwen,
    Thank you for being such an encouraging Christian. I went to one of your cconference’s in Palatka, Fl several years ago and bought this CD. God has blessed you with an amazing voice and speaking ability to share your story, you are real and reach others to their core for Christ! Thank you for sharing your beautiful voice through Him.
    Love,
    Robin

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  15. Gwen I have drifted away from church and God. The Holy Spirit has been dealing with me really hard. I just got through reading “I want what she has” and it really touched me. I know I need to follow where the Holy Spirit is leading me but taking the first step is the hardest. I’ve let God down and I’ve let Him down so much in the past. I wonder if He will forgive me again. Well I’m going to listen to your song now. Please pray for me. Your friend Gail Curtis

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      Gail, I’m praying that you will seek God with all of your heart. You will find him. Praying that the days ahead are blessings for you.

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  16. I have bipolar and so want to be “normal” so I told my psych doc that I wanted electroconvulsive therapy (shock treatment) he said no, no why would he say that? He had brought it up in the past now he is taking away my ability to be like everyone else. Then I read this devotion and God convicted my heart. Thank you!

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  17. Lord, You are the Author and Perfector of my faith, and I’m so glad. Please forgive me for thinking that having all my bills paid is going to bring me happiness and remove any desires within me that do not align with Your will for me in Christ Jesus.
    I want what You want for me… and I thank you that Your Spirit enables me to experience all the love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, kindness and goodness I ever need.
    Fill me fresh with Your presence and vision today, Lord.
    In Jesus’ name, amen.

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  18. You are a true blessing. I read GIG every morning and I’ve read your new book ” I Want It All”, which I love. I love how real you are and I’m so thankful to the Lord for finding you on Facebook. Thank you Gwen for your service in the Lord. I love reading what you write…truly a blessing ?

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  19. Hi Gwen,
    I loved your song Come Be The Center Of My Surrender.I am guilty of saying I want what she has, they have and I know the Lord would not be pleased. I have to surrender my will to Him.I want to be close to Jesus and not things of this world.I have a friend who is traveling to Europe and I wish I was going but that can’t be so I have to surrender. Pray for me Gwen…
    In Jesus’ Mighty Name
    Marion

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  25. Beautiful and very thought provoking. As I enter my twilight years I find myself seeking direction from Him that I may glorify His name.

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  27. Gwen,
    Thank you so much for your writing and sharing. I appreciate it so much. I usually need it so much. No different today as I do my daily ritual of reading before I rise. God speaks to me in so many ways and mostly through words and music. I am a broken soul needing to look up as you wrote. He led me to Psalm 55 today to be able to make a hard call and you to Psalm 27 to wait for the LORD…

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  28. That was an awesome song and I think I actually have that CD “Uncluttered”! Love your music, it speaks to my very soul! Definitely what I needed today! Isn’t God amazing like that?!? He always knows just what we need.

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  29. Exactly what I needed. I’d felt myself slipping into that place of jealousy and discontentment. Thank you for letting God use you to be the jolt awake that I needed. Bless you.

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  30. Thank you for sharing your testimony through message and song! You have brought sunshine into my life this day! May God bless you always!

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  31. Thank you for such an encouraging and inspiring message. This was so what I needed today. I’ve been feeling so anxious and scatter-brained recently while going through a difficult season. This post is helping me to get my eyes of my struggles and back on Jesus!

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  32. Dear Gwen,
    I was feeling aimless this morning and searched online devotions for women to help direct me. I randomly clicked on one, and imagine my surprise and delight when I saw you! It’s exciting to see how God has led you and to think back several years to when we knew you at EHBC. I praise God for “coincidences”. Thanks for being my God-sighting for today. Many blessings to you and your family.

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    1. Sue. Case! How cool is God? Love this! Hope all is well in NY! Miss you guys. 🙂 Glad the Lord connected us again. Hug Steve and the kids for me… and let me know if you ever come through Charlotte!

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  33. You have such an inspiring voice sweetheart. Keep it up and you will go far. God will always keep his word. In his time.

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  35. Dear Gwen, thank you for encouraging me this morning, with your words and music and heart for the Lord. God uses you and the GIG to speak to my heart every morning. I have been a child of God for a long time and I still need to surrender everyday. Thank you for sharing your song and being a transparent Christian. Lovingly in Christ, Corinne

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    1. Corinne – I am humbled and blessed that you were encouraged by the post. I’m with you in the need for constant surrender. Totally! Thanks for saying hello. 🙂

      Gwen

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