“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~ E. M. Forster
Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do in life to to let go of situations rather than trying to take charge of them. That goes so against our human nature. We feel like we need to be in charge in order for things to happen correctly or, at least, according to our design. The most difficult lesson to learn in life is that God has a design for His creation and that we need to step out of His way rather than trying to assert control over something that is not ours.
That’s right. God’s creation, God’s design, is not ours. That includes our very lives. You read that correctly. Our lives do not belong to ourselves. They belong to God. He is the author of our lives and He is the one who will call us home one day. To think that we are in charge is futile.
Of course, we are in charge of certain aspects of our lives. It is up to us to take care of ourselves and to live appropriately with others. But the grand design of our lives? That is in God’s hands. It’s the old “big picture, little picture” scenario. How our lives fit into this world and the schema of creation is part of the big picture and, therefore, a part of God’s plans. What we do on a daily basis, how we live our lives and things of that nature, is a part of the little picture of which we have control.
Our problems begin when we move beyond asserting control over the little picture and try to control the big picture. It doesn’t work. I know. Believe me, I know. I have tried to control the big picture pretty much on an annual basis when I fret away over the weather for our festival. I cannot make the rains stop. I cannot make the storms go away. Yet, somewhere in my little picture mind, I think that if I fret hard enough I might have some control.
The sooner that we follow that old adage — Let go and let God — the better off we will be. Butting our heads against creation and God’s plan will give us nothing but a headache. Letting go and asking God to use as as He sees fit can set us free.
FAITH ACTION: Ask God for the grace and courage that you need to allow Him to take charge of your life.