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Details, Details

Hope Ministries - Columnist
Posted 1/8/21

Some people just don't want to be bothered with the details. Their motto is, “Don't sweat the small stuff,” and they are willing to plunge forward and get it done without giving much thought to …

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Details, Details

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Some people just don't want to be bothered with the details. Their motto is, “Don't sweat the small stuff,” and they are willing to plunge forward and get it done without giving much thought to details.

Then you have the detail people. We can't even consider beginning anything without a detailed plan in place. We need to make lists, coordinate a time table, and plan out every detail to the best of our ability.

But we find instances in scripture where God only gives the bare minimum of facts and expects His people to move forward in obedience, leaving the details up to Him. That's a very scary place for detail people to be.

When God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary with a message, he only gave her a few facts. Mary had found favor with God, she would bear His Son, and they would name Him Jesus. That's it.

Mary asked for one detail - how can this be? Again, one fact was given - by the power of the Holy Spirit. No details, no plans, no time table. But Mary received this word and obeyed, trusting God to fill in the blanks and take care of every detail, which He did.

When God decided it was time to free His people from slavery in Egypt, He spoke to Moses from a burning bush in the desert. But He only gave him a few facts. Moses was to go to Egypt and bring the Israelites out by telling them that I Am sent him.

Moses wasn't as quick to obey as Mary was, and when he protested, the Lord said He was sending his brother Aaron to go with him. But how were two old men supposed to free a million people from a powerful ruler? God filled in the details one at a time on a need-to-know basis, and indeed freed His people from slavery.

Then there were Abraham and Sarah. God decided to move them to the Promised Land. The only facts He gave to Abraham was to head out and God would show him the way to go. He would have many descendants and be a great nation. Again, no details. But they obeyed and God did lead them to the Promised Land.

But how do an older couple well beyond child-bearing age, especially since the woman was barren, have descendants? That was the fact but the details were not forthcoming, and after many years of waiting they decided maybe they should figure it out themselves. Big mistake. Providing a surrogate mother was not God's plan, and the consequences of that decision are still felt today. God had a plan and He miraculously worked out the details.

It requires a step of faith to trust God to work out the details that He knows are best for us when all we have are a few facts. But I'm finding that if I just believe and obey Him, God is very faithful to work out all the details far better than anything I can devise.

I'm not saying we shouldn't ever plan out details. But if God is calling us to do something and only gives a few facts without the details, then we need to surrender the plan to Him and wait for further instruction. He will work out the details and make a way where there seems to be no way.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 482-5300.

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