Dear Friends,
A friend was talking us how busy her life had become. Caring for an infirmed spouse, keeping her house in order, and teaching a class twice a week had started to wear on her. “Then,” she said, “one of my friends asked me a question that helped me change my perspective.”
“Why,” her friend had asked, “are you trying to handle God’s job? Instead of racing around trying to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s, try turning your problems over to God.
When she shared her story with us, Bonnie exclaimed, “That’s exactly what I do! Instead of telling God my problems and waiting for his direction, I race in trying to figure things out for myself. Just about the time I have one thing figured out, two or three others pop up to keep me spinning.”
Looking heavenward, Bonnie offered an example of how our conversation with God might sound: “I can do this for you, God. I know you must be busy. Afterall God, when I need gas, you don’t put gas in the tank; I do.”
Don’t we get caught in the trap of thinking that we can handle things on our own. Wouldn’t it be great if we could take to heart the words my coffee cup suggests God might offer?
Isn’t this what the prophet Isaiah wrote about?
You, Lord, give true peace.
You give peace to those who depend on you.
You give peace to those who trust you. Isaiah 26:3 (ICB)
But therein lies the rub. Most of us want to be independent. We assume that if something isn’t under our control, it’s out of control. We have trouble knowing where our responsibilities end and when, by faith, we should turn things over to the Lord.
If you stop to think about it, many of the things we worry about absolutely are out of our control. Bonnie and I were talking about some issues that concern us. “Do you realize,” I asked, “most of the things we worry about are things we do not control? The economy — not our responsibility. Politics — vote and wait to see what the majority decides. The health and welfare of friends and family — help where we can and pray whenever we can, but know without a doubt we are not in control.”
If we could just accept that we are not in control, the One who is in control stands ready to help us when things seem out of control.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7
Are you trying to handle God’s jobs? In Matthew 6:34 (NLT) we find Jesus words, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. When we accept that God’s in control, we find that each day also has enough joys of its own. Right now, we’ll have the joy of a cup of coffee in our God cup.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 