Friday, July 13, 2012

Thought of the day...

Lately I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed. Sometimes I make the mistake of looking at the big picture and getting worked up over all the countless deadlines and problems and tasks that need to be done in life...(I'm not just talking about my writing project either). If you try to focus on everything...or list off everything that could go wrong or the long "to-do" list--it is naturally going to be overwhelming. It's like looking directly up at a huge mountain and saying, "I can never climb that!" But when you focus just on the next step and put one foot down where it needs to be then it isn't overwhelming any more. A passage I've needed to really keep in mind this week: In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:9).

Sometimes I imagine everything depends on me and my plan and what I do. That's my sinful pride at work. God wants me to work hard and do my best...but ultimately the results are in his hands. I can plan out every last detail and worry myself silly over things and then God can take my plans and my work in a whole new surprising direction. He's in control. He knows what's best. He loves me. He's proved his love for me by sending his own Son to die for me and save me forever. He's set me free to live for him. This is not "my" life, but the life he's given me to serve him and other people. It's not about me, it's about him! I need that reminder.

I found a little thing I wrote a long time ago that was supposed to remind me of this truth. Thankfully it reminded me again when I needed the reminder:

Let go, just let go.
Relax that tight, incessant grip and let it slip
know that flood of desperate relief
when you let go of yourself
and find that God is still holding you up
His perfect promises tell you so.

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