A humorous quote that I have heard many times is that “If we want to hear God laugh, we only need to tell Him our plans.” We so often think we are in control of our lives. So many of the self-help books and modern day quotes enforce this fallacy…for example:
- “No one has power over you unless you give it to them, you are in control of your life and your choices decide your own fate.” Anonymous
- “If you don’t like the situation you are in, change it. You are in control of your own life.” Anonymous
- “You control you.” Anonymous
- and SO MANY MORE!!
However, as a Christ follower, I know that the true control in my life is through God when I am submitting to His will. I am not saying that I do not have free will. Clearly, I do… as seen when I examine the poor decisions that I have made throughout my life and the resulting painful outcomes. I know God would not have lead me to some of the places I have gone! However, I do believe that God is able to redeem my life and my poor choices. He will use my life for the good of His kingdom. When I choose Him, he will lead me to the path that He has laid out for me. And my experiences and poor decisions, the trials that I have endured by my own choices, He is able, willing, and delighted to bring beauty from the ashes. He will use all my story to equip me for the journey He has for me. There is nothing that I have done that will surprise him. He is omniscient…He knows all things. I do not need to hide from Him. I may be my true self and He will accept me. And He is willing to work with all the outcomes of my life due to my own choices towards the good of His kingdom. A few of the scripture verses that I choose to remember and hold as Truth regarding God’s control in my life as as follows:
- “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
- “He refreshes my soul, He guides me along the right paths for his names’ sake.” Psalm 23:3
- “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” – Proverbs 19:21
- “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:17
Thank you, Jesus!! You are my God and my strength. You lead me in paths of righteousness for Your purpose. (Psalm 23:1-3) I desire to submit to you. I have hope because I know you will make right the things that I have done wrong. All of my poor decisions will be redeemed by You as my Lord and Savior.
REFLECTION:
- What choices have you made in your life that you are not proud of?
- Have you given these to God? If not, why not, my Friend?
- Have you confessed your sin to Him and accepted His forgiveness?
We are saved, my Friends, by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus. Not by our works.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)We will never be good enough on our own to redeem our story. But God desires this most of all. That we come running to Him in faith, and He will have His arms open wide to accept us just as we are. To shed light in the darkest parts of our heart. He will hold us and comfort us as we pour out our hearts to him in repentance. He will wipe our tears away and adorn us in white by cleansing all our sin. (Isaiah 1:18)
Live no longer, my Friends, in the chains of bondage from sin. Break free. Rejoice. Praise our Lord. For He is waiting for us to come to Him, and He freely gives us the forgiveness we desire. Let this be your next free choice! Ask for forgiveness, and it will be given to you when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
PRAYER: Lord, our Father, we praise your name as our Redeemer and our Lord. You offer us freedom from bondage. You offer us a better path. You are willing and able to redeem our story as we submit control of our lives to your capable hands. Lord, help us to submit to you. To confess our sin to You. To seek your guidance. To choose You! And as a result of choosing You, we also choose joy! Amen.
Hugs & blessings, Sweet Circle,
Stacy Turley
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