THE DESIRE FOR CONTROL
Kimberly Lawrence
Today's Scripture: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV
Theme: Be willing to get access to the treasure of obeying and serving out of God’s power and not our own.
TAKING CHARGE... OF EVERYTHING
A self-confessed control freak, I often put myself in charge… of everything. I like to make sure tasks are done properly, timely and my way. I have a vision for how things should go and, as such, have a difficult time delegating and trusting others with just about anything. As an example, I recently fired my husband from doing our laundry because he didn’t fold my t-shirts properly! He happily accepted his termination, and I am now in charge of all the laundry again.
There is an inherent danger in always taking the reins, being insistent about every detail and refusing to trust others. Not only can life be exhausting, but I will likely miss out on an easier process or a more favorable outcome.
CHANGE OF FOCUS
I’ve just experienced a season of life where the reality of my smallness and the evidence of God’s power were each magnified, simultaneously. Over the last six months, my mother began end of life care. I can’t imagine there is a time in this life that more vividly reveals one’s true lack of power and control than caring for a loved one through this time. I would scurry around trying to anticipate my mom’s care needs while cooking, cleaning, organizing, and making appointments. I thought, if I could get it all right, I could somehow control this inevitable process. As the time for her to pass from this world to the next approached, I became very frustrated. Why did she have to linger? Why did she have to suffer? Her heart and her mind were ready, so why wasn’t God taking her? After all, I did everything “I” could do to help. A loving friend and counselor carefully pointed out before praying with me that I was, in fact, trying to be in control and the time was overdue for me to change my focus from my needs to God’s perfect plan. By clinging to the illusion of my own control, I was demonstrating a lack of faith in Him.
OUT OF HIS POWER
When we fully surrender to God, we acknowledge that His ways are always better than our own. This aspect of faith is not just about obedience, it’s about the pleasure of enjoying the perfection of His work. I learned throughout my mother’s illness that, while I was getting impatient, God was using every moment to work on her, on me, throughout our family, and within extended friendships. People came to faith in Christ, non-believers saw faith in action, and still others served selflessly and lived out their own faith for our benefit. His work was being done, even when I couldn’t see it. Proverbs 3:5-6 says to trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. This Scripture needs to serve as my constant reminder that, when I attempt to control and incessantly plan, I’m robbing God of the opportunity to reveal His great power.
GOOD SURRENDER
There is a limit to what I can handle in this life. My physical and emotional strength are finite. The Bible doesn’t say that God will take away all of my sufferings. Quite the contrary. Jesus said, “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33, NIV). He didn’t say “may” or “probably”. He didn’t even say “if” you have trouble. He said you WILL have trouble. But He quickly follows it up with an important promise… “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” When I endlessly worry about my children, I demonstrate a lack of trust in God’s protection. When I fret over finances, I am doubting God’s provision. When I continue to feel unworthy or unforgivable, I lack faith in God’s unconditional love and the sacrifice of His Son for me. When I struggle to relinquish control, I imply that I know better. Surrendering to God’s power gives Him the space to work in my life and allows me to treasure the outcome.
Make It Personal: Consider the ways you, like me, struggle with wanting and taking control. Is it laundry, a health issue, finances, or career? Pray with me that we might surrender to a loving God who has all we could ever want or need already available and knows every possible outcome.
Pray: God, I come to You today with a heart of surrender. I relinquish control of my life to You and seek Your perfect will for me. Forgive me whenever I’ve mistakenly thought my ways are better than Your ways. I want to live in a way that is pleasing to You and gives You the rightful control over all aspects of my life. God, show me how to trust You more and the ways in which my controlling behavior needs to change. I know Your way is far superior to mine and want You to have Your way in every detail of my life. Amen.
Read: Proverbs 3:5-6; John 16:33; Matthew 11: 28-30
Weekly Memory Verse: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26, ESV