Giving Thanks

When I was in Rwanda this time last year, I went on a gorilla trek. The guide told us that if we happen to find ourselves in a “compromised situation” with one of these fascinating creatures, we were to submit completely by sprawling out onto the ground to make ourselves lower than the aggressor. According to the guide, this RARELY happens.

You can imagine my surprise when I pivoted from a crouched position (while taking pictures of an adorable baby) to find myself face-to-face with a female gorilla (click here!). Instead of slowly lowering myself, I slowly grabbed my camera and snapped a shot that I’m convinced could win awards.

Gorilla

When I think about that day, I’m intrigued by how that moment is a perfect picture to what my relationship with God looks like on a daily basis. So many times, I know that the Lord wants me to be still, listen and humbly wait. Instead I take control, often complain and struggle with what little patience I have. That is why I adopted John 3:30 as my life verse for 2013:

“He must become greater. I must become less.”

For a control freak/people pleaser like me, that was a pretty lofty goal. In the midst of attending way too many live concerts, getting a stamp from Singapore in my passport, wisely upgrading to the iPhone 5 and FINALLY finding the perfect pair of brown boots, the Lord has slowly been working on my heart this year. As I sat down to write this Thanksgiving letter, I reflected on what I’ve learned. These are the truths I’ve discovered during my pursuit to becoming less:

  • Pray.  All the time.
  • Trust Christ.
  • Stay strong.
  • Boldly come and then surrender completely.
  • Do not worry about tomorrow. That is a command.
  • Faith steps out confidently.
  • If I feel low, it’s time to drop even lower to my knees.
  • Learn from where you have been.
  • We were made by God, for God. Until we understand this, life will probably never make any sense.
  • There is nothing I can do to separate me from the love of Christ. Nothing.

Even when I turn from Him, He is there. He delights in me (Zephaniah 3:17) and He holds me in the palm of His hand. (Isaiah 49:16)  No matter how badly I want to control or am confused or frustrated by the situation, HE’S GOT THIS. Therefore, I must go and spread this good news!

Next time I find myself face-to-face with a gorilla, I’ll remember that.

john-3-30

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marla
marla
November 26, 2013 8:50 am

big AMEN.
beautiful lincee
thanks for reminding me what is important.
xoox

Emily
Emily
November 26, 2013 2:17 pm

Just what I needed to hear today and this new, very different season of my life as a divorced, single mom. “Don’t worry about tomorrow. That is a command.” Love that. We are commanded to let God provide and He will, even more abundantly than we ask or imagine. My life verse for this year is “Behold, I may all things new” Rev. 21:5…perhaps that “new” life is simply just a “new” ME! Love your blog and am convinced we would so be friends if you moved to Arkansas 🙂

melissa
melissa
November 26, 2013 3:42 pm

That is a good word right there. When you were describing yourself it sounded a whole lot like me. I pray that He becomes greater and I become less too!

KingAmy
KingAmy
November 26, 2013 10:09 pm

thanks for sharing lincee — i like the “if you’re feeling low, you’ll need to drop lower to your knees” — that’s been my life lesson recently…. love you!

Lisa
Lisa
November 27, 2013 10:34 am

Thank you Lincee – you touched my heart

Shelle
Shelle
November 27, 2013 12:20 pm

You mean less is more? (If you had been less than the Lincee we know and love, you wouldn’t have got that shot!)

Amanda
Amanda
November 27, 2013 6:04 pm

Wow Lincee, this is awesome!
Thank you for sharing. I need to hear this and remember where I am and why I am here.
Thank you for posting.

Kim
Kim
December 3, 2013 1:17 pm

AMEN to that girl! Wow how we all could learn so much if we just let Go and let God! His ways are much higher than our ways! Of course we are human and try to “fix” things or “make things better” and instead we need to turn it over God. Praying that God gives you the knowledge you are seeking!

Merry Christmas!

JB
JB
December 3, 2013 6:44 pm

This is great Lincee, appreciate the reminders. Have a wonderful holiday season, and remember Jesus is the reason for the season!

robin
robin
December 3, 2013 8:46 pm

I love your blog and I often find that you’ve written exactly what I need to hear, exactly when I need to hear it. Thank you and god bless.

Leeanne
Leeanne
December 4, 2013 10:17 am

Beautiful!

Melissa
Melissa
December 4, 2013 8:09 pm

Amen, Lincee! Thank you for the beautiful reminders.

Kate
Kate
December 5, 2013 6:20 pm

Thank you! thank you!

Lauretta
Lauretta
December 11, 2013 5:57 am

Thank you for sharing such anointed words, Lincee. This post will be helpful to many who are struggling – I’m going to print it and share if that’s okay. My daughter and her best friend are having a tough time inbetween HS and college and this is perfect for them!

Life doesn’t make sense until we understand that we were made by God, for God. AMEN!

You are blessed!

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