God’s Will

If the good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise . . . How many of you had a granny who said this? I did. Growing up in Stinkin Creek, Kentucky rising creeks were a real thing. They might prevent you from almost any commitment: visiting a relative, attending to church, going to the market. Praying for God’s will was more than words.

Creeks In the City?

Long after she moved to Detroit, my grandmother would still attach this condition to almost any commitment, “If the good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise.” As a child, I thought this was strange. I did not know of any creeks around our neighborhood, and there was almost no chance of the Detroit River rising to the level that it would affect us. For my grandmother, this condition allowed her an “out” if something came up and she couldn’t fulfill a commitment. But, more importantly, it was a reminder to her, and everyone she spoke with, that the “Lord’s will” is what she wanted in her life.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray,

“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:10

I can hear my grandmother’s voice saying, “If the good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise.” It was in her heart to align her words and actions with the will of God. If we align our requests with God’s will, we know that he hears us and will answer. For example, “God I know it is your will for this family to have a roof over their heads. Please show me how to make this possible.”

Change Our Focus

As we pray, that must be our focus. to see God’s will be done in our life, in our community, in the lives of our neighbors. I can hear some of you saying, “But, everything happens for a reason,” meaning it is out of our control. “God works everything according to his purpose.” This is not true! It is not God’s will that anyone should perish. The truth is that he gave us free will. We get to choose whether or not God’s will is done in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Let’s choose to focus on God’s will. In so doing, we can have confidence that God hears us and will answer our prayers. We know that he has been faithful in the past and will show up on our behalves now. We don’t have to worry about “If the good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise.” It is God’s will, but we have to do our part.

Also, see Advice From a Grandmother.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear