“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
God is in control. We talked about that yesterday. I argued yesterday that one result of that truth is that we should probably spend less time planning and more time enjoying the ride. Instead of focusing on the futile project of wrestling control back from God, maybe we should consider the impact of His control.
One reason we like to be in control is that we like to know what’s happening. That’s why I like to drive. While driving I focus on the road and each danger and opportunity as it approaches. Somehow I feel I’ll do a better job in handling those situations than anyone else in the car who might want to drive. In other words, I believe I’m the best driver in the car. (Not too humble am I?)
But with life, it’s completely different. It’s hard to argue with the truth that God is a better driver. He knows what will happen. He has a clear vision of the road ahead. He has complete power to control every bump in the road and to negotiate every turn. But it’s more than that, God loves me. He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. Satan sometimes plants in our heads that if we let God be in control, He will drag us through a joyless empty life of misery. Nothing could be further from the truth. We were created to serve Him and we were designed to be perfectly happy only by being perfectly in His will.
It’s never to late to get back in His will, to start benefiting from His plan. The sooner we do that the more of the joy filled life we will enjoy. But don’t forget, sometimes what is best for us isn’t always fun at the time. We need to learn to appreciate the whole trip, and not focus on, what to us, appears to be bumps in the road.
There are great things ahead. Let God do the driving. He knows all the best spots.
Nick
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