I guess it really depends on the situation, right? For me….deciding on which route to take across town? No problem….go ahead and lead the way. Want to cook a five course meal? I’m there….just tell me what you need. Need a friend to just listen? I’m your girl….for as long as you need. Easy!
So, if it’s so easy to let others lead the way in some things, why do you suppose it’s so very, very, very, (did I mention VERY) hard for me to surrender control of other things? It’s not that I don’t want to, or that I don’t try, but this seems to be (one of) the “thorns” that just keeps reaching out to scratch me at all the worst times.
So much so that…..for the past two hours I’ve been ‘type/delete/type/delete’ing because I so want to be encouraging – I want to write about answered prayers and new beginnings. I search for the words of healing and grace that some days seem to drip like honey with so little effort. But this isn’t one of those days. And it occurs to me that I can’t control that either!
But it also occurs to me that it’s just so human. We’re so human. And even though we serve an all-knowing, all-forgiving and all-loving God, part of the “all-knowing” part is that He really does know it all, including us. He knows our weaknesses, our fears and our desire to control the things that we can never control, no matter how hard we try. And I find that so comforting, don’t you? To be known and understood is such a powerful gift that God hands us to open up brand new each and every day.
These next ten days we are going to be taking a closer look at the last weeks that Jesus had to spend time with his friends and followers. We’ll watch as he teaches passionately, gives last words of instruction and shares his heart with those closest to him. We’ll find him in the garden, praying with all his heart that there could be any other way to carry out God’s plan to save us. Praying for courage in place of fear and choosing to lay down the control that he could have so rightfully asked for.
Laying down control…..
And there it is.
When people ask what the big deal about Lent is, these are the moments that come to mind…times when I struggle and struggle and struggle some more, only to have God speak through it and deliver words of truth. No judgement. Just pure, loving truth. He chooses us. He wants us, not when we get it together, but right here and now….in the struggle. Oh, how I love Him! And oh, how He loves us….
Meet you here tomorrow…..
Shellie ♥
Control
Tenth Avenue North
Here I am
All my intentions
All my obsessions
I want to lay them all down
In Your hands
Only Your love is vital
Though I’m not entitled
Still You call me Your child
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
I give You control
I’ve had plans
Shattered and broken
Things I have hoped in
Fall through my hands
You have plans
To redeem and restore me
You’re behind and before me
Oh, help me believe
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go, oh
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
Oh, You want me
Somehow You want me
The King of Heaven wants me
So this world has lost it’s grip on me
Oh, You want me
Somehow You want me
The King of Heaven wants me
So this world has lost it’s grip on me
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go, oh
God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
I give You control
Oh, give You control
Oh, I want to give You control
I give You control
You want me
Somehow You want me
The King of Heaven wants me
So this world has lost it’s grip on me
Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Matthew Bronleewe / Michael Donehey
Control (Somehow You Want Me) lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Essential Music Publishing
Isn’t it true comfort to know God is in control. Amen. Thank you Shellie.