Relinquishing Control

As the time draws nearer and nearer for me to board the plane bound for Denver and begin my DTS, I find that support-raising is always in the forefront of my mind. Every day I ask myself what I could or should be doing to be getting more support to come in, so that I may ensure I will be able to actually go. The idea of raising $10,000 is baffling to me, and hence, extremely daunting. That's a big chunk of change. But guess what? I serve an even bigger God. I KNOW he will provide for me if it is his will. How easily I forget and take matters into my own hands. I go through this thought process cycle most days, and I almost have to laugh at how bent I am on needing to do something and thinking that my control of the situation will allow the details to work out. Wrong. God is in control, and I need to let him be in control. My faith in God is shown by my actions (or lack of them), and lately my actions have shown distrust, because I want to generate the support through my own efforts, when maybe I just need to step back and let God blow my mind.

This morning I had a great reminder of this from the daily devotional I read. It was so fitting; one of those moments when you know God has is addressing you directly as if he told the author to write you a little personal note.

Rest knowing all is so safe in My Hands. Rest is Trust. Ceaseless activity is distrust. Without the knowledge that I am working for you, you do not rest. Inaction then would be the outcome of despair.

My Hand is not shortened that it cannot save. Know that, repeat it, rely on it, welcome the knowledge, delight in it. Such a truth is a hope flung to a drowning man. Every repetition of it is one pull nearer shore and safety.

Let that illustration teach you a great truth.  Lay hold of the truth, pray it, affirm it, hold on to the rope.  How foolish are your attempts to save yourself, one hand on the  rope, and one making efforts to swim ashore!  You may relinquish your hold of the rope and hinder the rescuer - who has to act with the greater caution lest he lose you.

The storms and tempests are not all of life.  The Psalmist who said "All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me" wrote also "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

Meditate upon that wonder - truth, the three steps safety, security, guidance.  (1) "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit" - Safety.  (2) "He set my feet upon a rock" - Security (3) "He established my goings" -Guidance. No. 3 is the final stage when the saved soul trusts Me so entirely it seeks no more its own way but leaves all future plans to Me its Rescuer.

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deuteronomy 33:27

Praise God I'm not in control.