Me and a Dump Truck
April 14, 2024
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I keep calendars on the side of the refrigerator for two months at a time. On them are written all the events our family needs to know about in order to make plans.
I really enjoy these calendars.
Not only are they practical, I have blogged HERE that they provide cause for reflection and praise. Each morning I like to mark off the prior day while thanking God for seeing me through. At the end of each month, I like to take a damp cloth and wipe off each week at a time, thanking Him again for all of the things He saw us through in that month…and remembering all that I so easily forget!
This past week the month of April ended. I hardly had anything to wipe off.
The past week June was posted. I hardly had anything to write on.
For about two years now, my life has been taking place at such a rapid pace that my closest friends have heard me say something like: Each day I keep trusting that if I need a vacation, He will provide it. I mustn’t need a vacation then.
And God knew April 2020 was going to look like this…
And only God knows what my May and June will look like.
I don’t.
James 4:13-16 is very clear: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”
I have said such things.
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
I know that in my head, but I have this false sense of control over my life. I keep forgetting that I have no power, so I actually live like I have some! I can only control myself, and I often don’t even do that well.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
I forget that my life is short in light of eternity. My story has always been wrapped up in God’s much larger story, whether I acknowledged that or not. He has always been in charge, not me.
As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
All such boasting is evil? This may sound to some like God is the arrogant one. But if I am indeed boasting, then I think I am in control. If my schemes are arrogant, then my schemes are for myself, not God. What an unwise stance to take before a God that really is all-knowing and all-powerful.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16)
Does it scare you to trust Him?
Remember, He really is God. He really is good. He really did speak the universe into existence. He created you and me.
Inviting Him into each day is the secret sauce of life: Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:13
I don’t know what a day will bring. And neither do you.
I hope we are finally getting it. Let’s not forget.
Picture Explanation: My calendars. My neighborhood.
© 2020 by Oaks Ministries. All rights reserved.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes growth.
1 Corinthians 3:6
6 Responses
I grew up hearing many adults say it: “I plan to . . . , if it’s the Lord’s will.” I haven’t heard it in a long time. I rarely say it, although I may think it. We would be good to remember and say it more often, and you’re so right, this virus may be teaching us just that!
Our lives truly are a mist.
I honor you and all in the teaching profession. May you have a rest soon!
As I have reflected on the principles in this post, I have started to say, Lord willing, a lot more. Though I may think it, I fear by not saying it, my thinking has gotten casual.
Thank you for recognizing that teaching is a valued profession, by the way. That is not a view shared by all, so I appreciate the support!
Dearest Laurie,
What a great reminder of the one who truly is in control. The Lord loves us so much that he will teach us how much he hates pride and arrogance. He allows our lives to seem/be out of control so that we will be more humble and will lean on him. We have a job to pass on the lessons we have learned about pride and humility and about God’s sovereign control. Thank you for passing on lessons to your readers!
Like Jewel, I pray that this unexpected season provides some rest for you.
Thank you, friend. I claimed 1 Chronicles 28:10: Be strong and do the work. I have five very important teaching sessions to plan for June 2020 and God has provided the time to think without as much clamor. I am grateful.
Amen! God continues to show me those very lessons over and over. Moving here to Georgia almost 4 years ago. I am asked by friends back where I’m from how I’m handling the isolation. Truth is I have been on that journey long before this virus. I do appreciate the reminders to say by his will not mine.
I like this sentence: Truth is I have been on that journey long before this virus. Me too! It just keeps sinking deeper and deeper into my heart.