Are You Asking God’s Permission and Still Waiting?

In my teens and early twenties when God was just the big guy in the clouds I never asked God permission but I did apologize a lot and I asked for a lot of ‘signs’ whether or not the cute football player was ‘the one.’

In my late twenties and early thirties, my desire to please God intensified and I wanted to always do the right thing as my faith grew. I asked God permission for EVERYTHING! If I didn’t hear from Him, I waited and stalled.

Now, in my early forties (dramatic back of hand to forehead) I NEVER ask God permission for anything and I have seen more success and seen more of God in all I do more than ever before.

Constantly Asking God’s Permission is Unbelief.

I’ll never forget the transition from elementary school to junior high where you got to leave the school grounds at lunch. Then the transition from junior high to high school where you didn’t need permission from your parents to miss class and then from high school to univeristy where I could walk in and out of class on my own accord without ever having to raise my hand to be excused and given permission to use the toilet!

The difference for me was in elementary school the boundaries and dependency on the teachers was comforting but I offered little to the world. In Junior High I learned independence and that if you smuggle vodka into a Slurpee cup you will get busted. In high school, I didn’t care much for the consequences because they weren’t usually immediate until I had to do summer upgrading to graduate.

In University I had more freedom than ever before, I could come and go as I pleased, I had the freedom to choose my path and to show up or not. I no longer had to raise my hand because there was a silent understanding that my education, my decisions, and my self-discipline was MY responsibility.  I graduated with honors without the need to ask permission, ever.

I truly believe that when we stop to asking and waiting for permission from God for every decision in our life, that…

#1 It’s based on a relationship of fear with the Lord that you will make him mad.

#2 Satan uses that anxiety to stall your full potential.

#3 It’s based on twisted theology that God has traps along the path of your life to trap you. “OOPS Joe, SNAP, wrong choice…you should have listened!”

#4 It’s based on your fear of failure and self-doubt and you use it as an excuse to not do brave things.

This is what I know…

#1 God wants you to CONSTANTLY ask for His opinion NOT His permission. Asking permission removes relationship and intimacy. You can’t be intimate with a taskmaster or prison guard. But a friend you call up to ask their opinion evokes growth, learning and intimacy.

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.  1 Chronicles 16:11

#2 God is a God who extended you a hand of free-will to make YOUR OWN decisions. So take it! Just like we have pleasure in watching our children discover their lives God loves watching us explore, choose and go for things!

 

#3 God is a God of get up and go!

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.  Exodus 15:14

#4 God is a God of using your head, read The Word what does it tell you?

#5 God is a God of doing what is right and good, pure and worthy.

#6 God is a God of protection who will block your path if it’s wrong. TRUST HIM.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  Psalm 23: 1-3

#7 God is a God who wants to say YES, just ask! Not for permission but for blessing, for his opinion, for his desire, for his heart, for his provision.

#8 God wants you to trust Him that ‘he’s got it’

In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

#9 God wants you to go and take authority over your life

# 10 God wants you to run with all that you have, in faith and fulfill the call on your life that he has set before you.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

What decisions have you been sitting on as you wait for permission?

Get Up… GO!

Leave a Reply