We don’t have to be in total control of everything, nor should we try. Such efforts will only cause us to snap and make life miserable for others. Our goal as those who seek God is not to promote our own agenda but to surrender to God’s perfect will and, together, move in the Spirit that orders all things perfectly.
This requires active surrender – not to be confused with giving up or abdicating our duties, commitments and responsibilities. It is cooperation and active participation in God’s plan – hourly, daily and long term.
The attitude, the impulse, the motivating force or factor in how we live each day must not be self-sufficiency (money or talent), hard work to the extreme, or a sense of superiority. Rather, our attitude and view as those who follow Christ must be focused on the riches and sufficiency of the Lord – part of which He has already shared in the way of personal gifts and talents, as well as good friends who support us. There are beyond these visible graces many unseen supports and treasures available when we need them, even if we don’t deserve them.
God has invited us to join Him on a journey of faith full of unknowns and surprises. The more we’re able to trust God, the farther He can take us. It doesn’t necessarily get easier, yet the rewards are richer.
This is not to say we should expect everything to constantly change around us without any predictability. God has established eternal laws that do not change and we can and should count on them.
The trouble is that all too often when things move along smoothly for us we say, “Aren’t I clever, capable, deserving, invincible.” In his riches, man lacks wisdom. The truth is no man can pay a price to God for his life; no man buy life without end; and no one can ransom his own soul. (Psalm 49)
Self-abasement and humility are never signs of weakness or psychological disease if they defer to and open one up to the power, greatness and loving providence of God.
For whoever exalts himself shall be humbled. And whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)