Control

In these days of packed and over-committed schedules, most of us enjoy choosing our own solutions to meet those goals. Likely, immaculate planning allows us to feel in control of our own approach to these hectic schedules; perhaps we grow frustrated when things don't go according to our plans. The challenge is to give up control over something. These practices bleed over into our spiritual lives as well. Those in the Roman Jewish and Christian religious circles also struggled with this. Paul referred to Isa. 40:13 and reminded the Roman believers in God about refusal of God’s plans, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Rom. 11:33-36 (ESV)
With all our focus on the physical world, if we desire to follow God, how does our own planning work? We must realize spiritual goals can only be accomplished by submission to Jesus. If we truly comprehend our commitment to God through Jesus, He must receive ultimate priority in directing our walk with Him. For this to happen, we must become willing to set aside our personal plans and follow His actions and His timeframe. When we ask God or the Holy Spirit for help in our prayers, do we ask God to follow our own plans and schedules? We cling to these plans and requests because they are our own and we think we understand them, limited though they may be. Without realizing it, we may be asking that God follow the schedule we've constructed according to our desires and very limited human wisdom. Yet if we believe He has all knowledge and He is the most powerful being, how can surrendering our control to His schedule be anything except beneficial for us? Accepting Jesus required faith and commitment; when we submit to God's timetable, we must also exercise faith and courage. This courage will come from realizing that He wants all that is best for us. Although strenuous at times, we must wait until the Spirit leads us to move forward. When the timing is according to His schedule, we will experience a joy by watching Him provide all we need, in His timing.