Friday, July 6, 2012

Trust God With The Details

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go. -- Acts 16:6-7

Who controls your life? Maybe you’re one of those who control your own destiny. Or maybe a spouse or parent controls your life. Maybe it’s a boss, a company, the military, or even the economy.

Actually, it’s none of the above. God controls your life -- if you’re wise enough to give it over to Him to be used for His purpose.

Some folks just aren’t comfortable with that. Even Christian folks. Even, sometimes, pastors and other church leaders. It’s not that they don’t trust God. It’s just that they don’t trust God to do what they want Him to do. It’s like they feel they need to help Him out a little bit, just until He sees the light.

I know. It’s laughable and just so very misguided. God will do what God will do. Period. And most of the time I’m really glad about that because He truly does know best. When I get a little upset, it’s almost always when He’s calling me to do something I’d really rather not do.

Someone once asked me if I felt threatened when the former teacher of the Sunday school class I lead came to visit. Why would I? As I explained, God called me to teach the class. I wasn’t expecting it but He did it anyway. And I’ll teach it until He tells me not to. End of story.

Another man is determined to do good for God in all things. I watch him sometimes and I am amazed. He truly has a wonderful heart and is open to new ideas. Except that he wants to micromanage everything and everyone around him. It can’t last. He’ll burnout eventually. Unfortunately, that will probably come after he’s alienated other wonderful people.

It all comes back to each of us doing whatever God has called us to do. Not what God has told someone else to do.

That’s difficult to do sometimes. It’s that control thing. It’s really hard to let go and trust others to do things the way we want them done. We’re afraid that someone will drop the ball and we’ll be left with a mess to clean up. Truly, it sometimes happens that way.

But what about those times when everyone does his or her part and it all just comes together and God’s glory shines brightly? God is in control and He knows what He’s doing. Don’t just trust Him with the big things in your life. Trust Him with the details and let others do the same.