The Right Plan
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I have a confession to make. I often think I can faithfully write a message every Wednesday, but I struggle to accept that while God has used me in wonderful ways, I am far from perfect when I try to control everything such as writing. In doing so, I have sometimes failed to align with God's plan for me. There are times when I believe I have the strength to do it all, only to realize that I cannot. Just when I think I know a lot, I discover there is still so much more to learn. This realization is the most frustrating part of my journey as a Christian. When will I finally understand that I need to stop trying to do everything on my own? Why should I be grateful to God when I reach that understanding? The truth is, I need to stop relying on my own plans and trust in God's plan.
As Christians, many of us often fall into the trap of believing we have complete control over our lives. We convince ourselves that we have trained our minds and bodies to follow our every command. Yet, there comes a moment when everything seems to fall apart, and we realize how little control we have. At what point do we acknowledge our desire for control and recognize that true control belongs to God alone?
History reminds us of the gratitude we owe for being under God's dominion. As devoted Christians, we recognize that God governs every aspect of our lives. Even after twenty years of being born again in Christ, I acknowledge that I am still a work in progress. I often struggle with the desire to control certain aspects of my life, forgetting that God is not only my strength in times of weakness but also my rock when I stand firm. Perhaps it is when we feel strongest that we are actually at our weakest, especially if we fail to appreciate all that God has done for us. True joy, continuous prayer, and gratitude in all circumstances are not just momentary acts. They are about consistently surrendering to God's will. Our role is not to choose between being strong or weak, or whether to be thankful or not. Instead, we must accept God as the Lord of our lives, knowing that this acceptance is enough. In surrendering to Him, we find true strength, joy, and thanksgiving.
God is our daily portion, and it's important for our spiritual growth to continually ask questions about who we are and what His purpose is for us. This is not about questioning our faith, but it is about striving to grow closer to Him and serve His will. At our strongest moments, we can say, "Here it is God. I lay it down. I surrender it all to you, and I let it go." This act of surrender is a sign of spiritual growth, just as admitting our weaknesses is. Being 'His' doesn't mean our lives are perfect or that everything is in order. It means that regardless of our circumstances, whether strong or weak, rich or poor, talented or challenged, God created us to serve Him. We can rejoice in knowing that we don't have to control everything, trusting that He will take care of what we cannot. Where do you struggle with understanding God’s authority? What can you surrender to Him today? My prayer is that we focus less on our own control and embrace the circumstances God presents, trusting that He has the right plan. Amen.