"Stop it Steve; that's enough!" I covered my ears; his incessant honking was no longer funny.
But, Steve continued, determined to press harder and longer on the horn, laughing, at his ability to be in control.
"Stop it Steve!" My sister lunged her hand, hitting Steve's elbow-locked arm...and just that quick...the world Steve felt so in control of...turned upside down...and so did ours . Our van veered back and forth across the road, tilted on two wheels, hit a guard rail, and then flipped over and over again.
I closed my eyes, watching my life flash before me. I recalled my grandmother's recent accident and the comment the doctors made to my grand-father about her survival: "It's a good thing she was sleeping. She probably survived this crash because her body was so relaxed."
Though, today, I'm not sure what made the doctor say that, at the time, I kept saying, "Just relax and you'll make it through!" So, I let my body smack against the sink counter, along with our couch that pulled out into a bed, and then landed hitting the ceiling; the van finally came to a stand still. It was completely totalled but miraculously, we each survived to live another day.
It's funny how we can feel completely in control one minute, feeling as if we have the world by its tail, then all of a sudden the tail snaps off, and we helplessly watch our world spin wildly out of control. We find ourselves crashing up against things, unexpectedly twisting and turning, in a complete state of un-control.
Can I be completely honest with you? I've felt like that many times this week. I find myself questioning God's direction for my life. I keep asking Him, "What is it that YOU really want?" I've teetered between commanding mountains to be moved and pulling covers back over my head. What can I say...I guess I'm human! And dear friends, I've found the only safe thing for us to do in moments like these is to "Relax...and to remind ourselves...we'll make it through!"
Perhaps the reason our world begins spinning uncontrollably is to bring us to the place we should have started and remained...in a place of SURRENDER!
Not surrendered to the chaos, not surrendered to our own abilities, not surrendered to plans of action or the antithesis of helpless retreats...but SURRENDERED to the One Who is in control...SURRENDERED to the One Who holds our future...SURRENDERED securely to the One Who loves us unconditionally.
Unfortunately, heartaches and disappointments are certain in life...it's what we do with them that defines us! I for one am resolved to release each fear, each heartache, and each disappointment to JESUS...confident that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it!
So if your world seems to be spinning wildy out of control...RELAX...and surrender each ambition, dream, and vision to God. He speaks peace, commanding storms and waters to stop raging...AND...even greater news is HE CARES FOR US!
Matthew 6:31-33 assures us of His provision; it says, "So do not worry , saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV)
PRAYER: Thank You LORD that YOU ARE in control and YOU ARE working all things together for our good. Thank You for Your love, grace, and mercy. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Let our life count for You. In Jesus name, we pray, amen.
Praising GOD for working all things together for our good!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
andrea
"heartaches and disappointments are certain in life...it's what we do with them that defines us!" No matter where I am in life, these are the things I cannot control - most circumstance come about because I am one of many, and things happen because of other's actions. But reacting knowing I have God on my side, changes everything. Amen.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to let go of that control; that has been God's biggest lesson, from that is a cascade of other little things, but the control is huge. The first time "I let go and let God", was a miracle; and subsequently, the more out of control I became, the more in control my life is. Praise You God for Your power, faithfulness and assurances of always being here....
"Surrender"...I remember teaching one time that the word "Surrender" indicates that there was previously a "fight". Seems easier to surrender than it is to fight, yet there is a fine balance between the "fight" we must have, and the surrender that allows God to be in control. In fact, that "surrender" is probably my biggest "fight"! I have to say though,it always feels best when I manage to "surrender" and I know God is in control. I trust Him. I just struggle with His timing sometimes! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I realize in my life is that I never expect the out of control to happen. But we never arrive. It -life-is a journey and I am so glad the Lord is always with us on all fronts. (I am trying to write riding down the road on an overnight trip. ) lol
ReplyDeleteFinding the balance of life in Christ is a daily challenge.
ReplyDeleteeg. The laundry gets done because I put it in the machine and complete the task. The same will go for dinner tonight....No, I will not put it in the washing machine!
I realize that God is the one who provides all things,clothing,food,washing machine,drier, stove,fridge,ect.
God brought me to the realization yesterday that I have been focusing on the 'tasks' and forgetting the provision of Him. I can do these tasks because He has caused me to. I can do NOTHING outside of Him, and I can do ALL things with/through Christ who gives me the enabling strength to do so.
God has not stopped prviding the miracles, I had stopped noticing that I needed them. He wants to WOW our socks off, because He is amazing and loves us so much.
There is such freedom in realizing our dependance on Him. We are not valued by our perfomance, we perform because we are loved and enabled.
Thank you God for ALL that you do, seen and unseen.
~Tina Bale
The song "Momentary Light Afflictions" by Justin Rizzo helps me when I am struggling. I love when the song says: "Consider it pure joy, when you face trails of many kinds. The testing of your faith, develops preserverance; and preserverance is needed to run the race..."
ReplyDeleteYou can listen to this song using the following link, and choosing track 12:
http://www.justinrizzo.com/music-and-media
Momentary Light Affliction
Justin Rizzo © 2006
I set my eyes on what I cannot see
I set my mind on the eternal
Pre-Chorus
You are my great reward, forever I will be with You
Chorus
This momentary light affliction is
Working in me
An eternal weight of glory
An eternal weight of glory
Chorus 2
This is my confidence
This is my confidence
This is my confidence
I’m living for another age
For You are God, and You know what You want
And You know how You’ll get it the fastest way
You give and take away, and You’re the initiator of seasons of change
For You are God, and You know what You want
And You know how You’ll get it the fastest way
With the least amount of pain, but there will be pain it’s guaranteed
Consider it a pure joy
when you face trials of many kinds
the testing of your faith
developes preserverance
preservercance is needed
to run the race...
Consider it pure joy
Consider it pure joy
This is my confidence
I'm living for another age...
Andrea, amen...it's so good to know HE holds us securely in His hands...nothing can separate us from His love!
ReplyDeleteShawn, amen and amen...God truly is in control. It is so good to fall back...knowing He's gonna catch us and carry us through! :)
TINA, I love your words. God does indeed want to Wow our socks off...let's keep pressing on!
GREG...wow! I love it..."Seems easier to surrender than it is to fight, yet there is a fine balance between the "fight" we must have, and the surrender that allows God to be in control." Well said. I'm so glad that we have one another. You are such a blessing. Couldn't imagine having any better partner to balance FIGHTING for the things of God with and Surrendering to Him with, together! LOVE YOU!
AMY, you are one of the most amazing friends, thanks for all your encouragement this week. Love you! Thanks for being my partner in His Love Extended Ministries. Can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks. :)