Mark 11:22 “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, 23 and nothing will be too much for you….. 24 That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. (MSG)

He calls us to embrace, or to hold closely everything that is about Him.  When we feel overwhelmed, to let go of the things that are not His idea, or His mandate for us, and hold even closer those things that are.  When life feels like it is too much, go back to the things of Him.  When we hold Him close, He will not hold back, He will give us all He's got.  There is no fear of rejection, He keeps His promises, it's who He is.  As we draw closer to Him, He WILL draw closer to us.  Cover everything about our lives with prayer.  He cares about the big and the small things. 

The word "embrace" offers a different point of view than "clinging".  Clinging implies a sense of desperation, a sense of holding so tightly that you're unwilling to let go, no matter what.  The word "embrace" shows me more of a welcoming, loving, reciprocating gesture.  When I feel overwhelmed, or that life is just too much at the moment, what is my natural tendancy?  Do I keep bull-dozing through whatever it is?  Do I "cling" to God's plan or worse, to my own plans?  Or do I take a step back and "embrace" God? 

I so want the God life.  I want the forgiveness, the radical obedience, the walking in wholeness, the hearing of God’s voice, children who serve him.  Help me Jesus to embrace you and not to cling to my best laid plans.  Remind me to pray about absolutely everything.  Thank you for caring about it all.  I lay my future before you.  I give you my desires.  Thank you for promising to draw close to me.