Illusion of Control
As a young
girl I chaffed with impatience, wanting to be free of rules that hindered me. I remember sighing and looking forward to
being in college away from home. Then I
realized that going to college meant following the rules of college. Shortly after college, I married and realized
that the wedding vows meant obedience.
What? Would I ever be free? Living in the boundaries of God’s love is
another loss of freedom, or so it seemed then.
There would never be freedom and choices of doing what I wanted.
girl I chaffed with impatience, wanting to be free of rules that hindered me. I remember sighing and looking forward to
being in college away from home. Then I
realized that going to college meant following the rules of college. Shortly after college, I married and realized
that the wedding vows meant obedience.
What? Would I ever be free? Living in the boundaries of God’s love is
another loss of freedom, or so it seemed then.
There would never be freedom and choices of doing what I wanted.
As the years
went by, I learned that often I relied on Mom and Dad’s early teaching to guide
me. I absorbed the information in
college and realized rules could be endured.
But the greatest realization was that because I love my husband and my
children, that I wanted what was best for them.
After several years, as I studied Bible truths, I understood how much
God loves me to the cross and back. His
Word is filled with the wisdom for a happy, fruitful free life.
went by, I learned that often I relied on Mom and Dad’s early teaching to guide
me. I absorbed the information in
college and realized rules could be endured.
But the greatest realization was that because I love my husband and my
children, that I wanted what was best for them.
After several years, as I studied Bible truths, I understood how much
God loves me to the cross and back. His
Word is filled with the wisdom for a happy, fruitful free life.
As I look
around me after 8 decades, I pray for understanding God and continue to learn
that I treasure a life style that includes safety nets built into God’s
enduring and faithful love. Safety nets
that include trust, faith and dependence on God. Why? Through that trust and faith in God I see
islands of hope, humility and true freedom.
Joy is in every bend of the road of life when I hold on to God’s hand.
around me after 8 decades, I pray for understanding God and continue to learn
that I treasure a life style that includes safety nets built into God’s
enduring and faithful love. Safety nets
that include trust, faith and dependence on God. Why? Through that trust and faith in God I see
islands of hope, humility and true freedom.
Joy is in every bend of the road of life when I hold on to God’s hand.
I am not on
this journey alone, no, I have brothers and sisters the world over who extend
prayers, share their journey, encourage me and remind me constantly of God’s
gift of Spiritual Fellowship-Community.
this journey alone, no, I have brothers and sisters the world over who extend
prayers, share their journey, encourage me and remind me constantly of God’s
gift of Spiritual Fellowship-Community.
How do I find
this road of boundaries of love, what do I need for the journey? I need the
two-edged sword of the Word of God, with unswerving faith and prayer. The Word of God is for learning obedience and
choosing His road. It is to know God my Father, for as I put myself in His
Hands – He calls me friend. I want to understand and know His One and Only Son,
Jesus. I need to make the choice to set my life in his hands. This searching for the Way, the Truth and the
Life never ends. It is a binding
contract, signed and sealed on the cross in His blood with Love.
this road of boundaries of love, what do I need for the journey? I need the
two-edged sword of the Word of God, with unswerving faith and prayer. The Word of God is for learning obedience and
choosing His road. It is to know God my Father, for as I put myself in His
Hands – He calls me friend. I want to understand and know His One and Only Son,
Jesus. I need to make the choice to set my life in his hands. This searching for the Way, the Truth and the
Life never ends. It is a binding
contract, signed and sealed on the cross in His blood with Love.
The refilling refreshment of his love in my heart, comes through
prayer and study of His Word – The Bible. In this world of constant distraction
and noise, the verse seems impossible to accomplish – “Be still, and know that I am God. I
will be exalted among
the nations, I will be exalted
in the earth!” Psalm 64:10. Yet
I know that only through listening to my Lord…can I begin to understand the One
who created me with such care (Psalm 139).
He is the One I turn to when I cannot endure the hurt, strife, anger and
hate that dwells in this world.
prayer and study of His Word – The Bible. In this world of constant distraction
and noise, the verse seems impossible to accomplish – “Be still, and know that I am God. I
will be exalted among
the nations, I will be exalted
in the earth!” Psalm 64:10. Yet
I know that only through listening to my Lord…can I begin to understand the One
who created me with such care (Psalm 139).
He is the One I turn to when I cannot endure the hurt, strife, anger and
hate that dwells in this world.
It is then that my heart
says Amen to the Psalmist David’s writing – Sing unto
God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: To him that
rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his
voice, and that a mighty voice. Ascribe
ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the
clouds. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is
he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. Psalm 68:32-35
says Amen to the Psalmist David’s writing – Sing unto
God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: To him that
rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his
voice, and that a mighty voice. Ascribe
ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the
clouds. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is
he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. Psalm 68:32-35
What have I
learned? I have learned a measure of
patience and endurance. Impatience with
what is – seems to obliterate faith and trust.
I often ponder the immense storehouse of God’s patience as He sees people
on earth try to futilely take the control and power from God. It is when we lose patience and forget to ask
God what His plan is, that we lose our connection with God. When we wait on the Lord, we begin to learn
what God is teaching us. The often heard
phrase, “Don’t just stand there, do something!” brings disaster in our lives
and the lives of others. Waiting on God
brings peace. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 1:21
learned? I have learned a measure of
patience and endurance. Impatience with
what is – seems to obliterate faith and trust.
I often ponder the immense storehouse of God’s patience as He sees people
on earth try to futilely take the control and power from God. It is when we lose patience and forget to ask
God what His plan is, that we lose our connection with God. When we wait on the Lord, we begin to learn
what God is teaching us. The often heard
phrase, “Don’t just stand there, do something!” brings disaster in our lives
and the lives of others. Waiting on God
brings peace. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” Jude 1:21
I have learned that the illusion of my control is
false. That God is in control over
powers and principalities and he has plans for me. He who created us created our universe and
set the stars in place.
false. That God is in control over
powers and principalities and he has plans for me. He who created us created our universe and
set the stars in place.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you
have understanding. Who determined its
measurements—surely you know! Or who
stretched the line upon it? On what were
its bases sunk, or who laid its
cornerstone, when the morning
stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for
joy? Job 38:4-7
have understanding. Who determined its
measurements—surely you know! Or who
stretched the line upon it? On what were
its bases sunk, or who laid its
cornerstone, when the morning
stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for
joy? Job 38:4-7
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your
faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge
with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness
with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly
affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-7
faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge
with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness
with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly
affection with love. 2 Peter 1:5-7
He has shown his people the power of his works, in
giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are
faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and
ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. Psalm
111:6-8
giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are
faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and
ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. Psalm
111:6-8
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone
as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of
sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Romans 6:16
as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of
sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Romans 6:16
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from
love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and
sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same
love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish
ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant
than yourselves. Philippians 2:1-3
love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and
sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same
love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish
ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant
than yourselves. Philippians 2:1-3
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.
As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6
As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6
A hymn from
long ago….
God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
long ago….
God will take care of you, Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
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