Series: The Word
Proverbs 16:3 ESV
Jeremiah 29:11 The Message
I John 4:7-20 The Message
If I’ve learned one thing in my life it’s that if I will stop trying to pretend I’m in charge and let God take the reigns, I’ll be at peace and I can relax.
The problem is that giving God control is counter-cultural.
It goes against everything the world teaches us,
We’re told from a very young age that we need to be responsible.
We’re even often taught that leaving things in God’s hands is unwise.
However, wise King Solomon understood the importance of trusting God.
In Proverbs 16:3 he wrote, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Even in a seminary we were taught how to make and execute plans. We were taught to take charge. We were taught to lead out.
I don’t remember one time when I was told to stop leading and wait for the Lord.
In Proverbs 16:3 the key thing we notice is that when we commit our way to God, then God will establish our plans. In my way of thinking as I’ve grown older, I know what can happen when I take charge and forge ahead without waiting for God to direct my path.
It never goes well.
However, when I pray and admit to God that I’m not exactly sure what I’m supposed to do, and I ask God to direct my path, God always always always shows up.
I’ve also discovered that God doesn’t always show up immediately.
I think there are reasons for that.
#1 There are times when God knows we have other issues we need to work through. Because of that, while forging ahead might be possible, it’s not the best thing for us long term. If we will trust God to help us work through what we are struggling with, God can heal us.
#2 The timing for moving ahead could be a factor when other people are involved, and we may need to wait for them to get on board. Only God can know what’s going on in everyone’s life. We are not God.
#3 God may know something is about to happen that will change everything. We cannot see the future. Only God can.
#4 God may have something better planned for us. This is a huge deal. I go back to Jeremiah 29:10-11 when God knew what was ahead for Israel. God had it all planned out, The Prophet Jeremiah wrote, “This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” God had a better plan for Israel, not just then but down the road.
#5 We cannot begin to fully understand God’s love for us and what God has for us through that love. In I John 4:7-10 we are told, “My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.”
Ultimately, what is supposed to be our driving force?
Is love our driving force?
That means that at every corner we remember to love one another.
When someone has treated us badly, we’re supposed to love them.
When they’ve betrayed us, we are to return that betrayal with God’s love.
When someone cuts us off in traffic, we love.
The list could go on and on.
The list outlining everything God knows that we do not know could go on and on as well.
The bottom line is that we need to turn our plans over to God because God IS God.
God is love. God is Holy. Only God is perfect.
I know for sure that I can only love the way God wants me to love when I keep my eyes on Jesus and wait for God to direct me.
I know that the only way I can love like God wants me to love is to ask God to give me love for them. I cannot conjure it up on my own. Only God can love fully and completely.
I am not perfect. I make mistakes. I forget. Only God is holy and perfect, so I need to rely on God. Like I said I’m pretty sure I need to stop pretending I’m in charge and I need to turn the reigns over to God. Every day in every way, I need to let God be God.
Spiritual Practice: Give God the reigns
Tell God you want to turn over the reigns. Let God plan for you.
In God, Deborah. acrazyjourney.com
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