Thanks Be to God: It is not up to me

What This World Needs by Casting Crowns
Songwriters: Cervantes, Hector; Hall, Mark;

 People aren't confused by the gospel
They're confused by us
Jesus is the only way to God
But we are not the only way to Jesus

But we can't strap ourselves to the gospel
'Cause we're slowing it down
Jesus is going to save the world
But maybe the best thing we can do
Is just get out of the way

I invited guests to church.  I know where they normally attend.  I make assumptions about their walk with Christ.  I think I know who they are; after all, they are my guests. The service proceeds and I find myself talking to God, or anyone else who is listening:  No, don't say that.  My guests are not going to understand that.  Please, don't go there.  And then I catch myself and I realize what I am doing.  I am trying to manipulate God and control how he ministers to my guests.  I immediately repent.  I am ashamed.

God, I am so sorry. 
I am sorry for thinking that I know these guests more than you.  You, Lord, know everything about them. Ps 119:168 "For all my ways are known to you." 
I am sorry for thinking that I love these guests more than you.  You, Lord, love them enough that you would send your perfect son to die for them. 1 Jn 4:9 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."
I am sorry for thinking that I can lead them to salvation.  You, Lord, you draw them to yourself.  Jn 6:44 "No one can come to me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent me draws him." Lord, you don't need me.  I am a vessel.  You, Lord, give me the privilege of praying and witnessing to my guests; to God be the Glory.

I have to remind myself that even though I love people, and even though I strongly want them to except the truth of the Gospel of Christ, that my love for others comes from God. 1Jn 4:7 "Let us love one another, for love is of God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."  God loves us more than we can possibly imagine.  We cannot comprehend the greatness of his love.  Paul prayed,  in Eph 3:17-19, that "we would know in our hearts through faith, being rooted and grounded in love, that we would be able to comprehend how wide, and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. And more than that: that we would be filled with the fullness of God."

I am so grateful to God for giving me this love for other people.  I am grateful to God for giving me a burden for souls.  I am so grateful to God that I am not doing this on my own.  It is God in me who gives me this love, this burden, and above all this hope for what is to come.