May he bend our hearts toward him. Then we will follow him and keep his commands, laws, and rules, which he commanded our ancestors [to keep]. 1Kings 8:58
I have a trash can in my kitchen. We inherited from a previous renter years ago. I love it. It is the perfect size to hold trash bags. It has a domed lid and a curved flap that slips back up into the dome whenever you want to throw in some trash. Then you flip the flap back down closed and all the trashy smells are sealed inside. Works great, most of the time.
Sometimes though, the flap flips back and gets stuck. Usually happens when I am in a hurry to get the trash to the curb. It won’t flip back over the lip of the domed lid. So, I have to ever so gently bend it so it slips up over the lip back into position. Each time, I envision the crack and rip of plastic, but it never does. It may take a bit of work, but it always pops back into shape to work the way it’s supposed to work.
Today, God told me, “Now you know how I feel.” Are you seeing the connection? Most times, I am doing His will. I am keeping the stinky stuff out of my life. But ever so often, I flip back and become stuck. Ever so gently, but with enough force, he bends my will back to His. At times, I feel as if I will crack and rip, but I never do. Eventually, I am back to doing my job for Him I was designed to do, in the position I am supposed to be in.
If you feel God is pulling and bending you, don’t resist His force. Perhaps He is just getting you back to where you need to be – so you can do what you were purposed to do. Let His hands do the work and you won’t crack or rip apart.