One thing that is hard to remember, as a Christian, is that I have given up control of my own future. In fact, that explains the name of my blog; it is a reminder for me that my life is not my own. Really, it was only a perceived control in the first place. Like most people, I like to think I have control over my own life. Anyone who has ever watched the news knows how quickly that control can be lost. Illness, natural disasters, wars, etc. can all play a part in destroying an individual's feeling of control. Those things are not what this post is about, though.
I'm talking about giving away control. I have given control of my life to God. This is how I do it, though. I give God control (yes, I know I'm not really giving anything as he always had control), I try to take back control, I repent, I give God control, I try to take back control, I repent, repeat... repeat... repeat.
I think being an American maybe makes it all even more difficult. I love living in a country that tells me I have the right to pursue happiness and all that. I'm grateful that I get to choose where I live, my career path, who I marry and a myriad of other choices. As glad as I am to have those choices, though, I am constantly trying to hand it all over to God.
A few years ago I saw this prayer printed in a church bulletin. I clipped it out and stuck it on our fridge where it has been for years. I found that it is believed the original version was written by Dr. Martin Luther in the 1500's.
If you are not a Christian you may wonder why anyone would want to give control away. Well, one reason is because we are told to do so...
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Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.
...but the main reason I choose to give control has to do with trust. I absolutely trust that God has all wisdom. I absolutely trust that he will protect me and eventually bring me to himself. I absolutely trust that he knows better what is important for me in all things. I absolutely trust that he is God and I am not.
How about you? Do you have times when you want to give God control but are having trouble letting go? Do you have times when you know that giving up control has turned out to be a blessing to you? Tomorrow I am going to tell you a story about someone else giving up control to follow an unexpected path. |
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