Who's in Charge? The Power of God
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” – Ephesians 3:20-21
Ask anyone in my immediate family and they’ll tell you I love to take charge. In school, I wanted to lead the group. By college, I formed organizations and set full speed ahead. My mind moved a million miles a minute and my body barely kept up. When I graduated college, the power I thought I possessed waned.
In less than six months, 10+ mental and physical health conditions called out my name. For someone who thought they were in control, I sure possessed little of it. My mind and body were breaking and I could do nothing about it.
What about you? How do you feel about the seven-letter word we call c-o-n-t-r-o-l?
Though we might feel like our lives are spinning out of control, one of the best parts about serving Jesus is that anything under His sovereignty is never out of control. Release might feel like chaos, but release brings peace.
Learning to surrender this control is like learning to float. The more you fight the water, the less you’ll rest. When you surrender, and finally lean that head back, confident the waves below will carry you, the further you’ll go.
Jesus isn’t mad at you for attempting to hone control. It’s part of our human nature. But He is asking you to float with Him. To rest your head back as He directs your path. To release the control you so desperately cling to, in exchange for His strength, power, and stability within you.
Do you find yourself grasping for control or relaxing as Jesus holds you afloat? If you struggle with exchanging your limited power for His infinite strength, be encouraged, Jesus already knew we’d struggle with this. The good news is that He welcomes us in our struggles. In our weakness and quest for control, He invites us to lay those burdens down. To give Him what we can every day, in exchange for His power and strength.
When we realize it’s Christ’s power at work within us, we will fight for control a little bit less. The urgency may still be there. Sometimes, loosening your grip is scary, and feels like drowning. But His power works best in our weakness. There’s no one else I’d want to be in charge of my life.
Question for Reflection:
Do you struggle with control? You’re not alone. Try this simple practice. In the morning, tell God one thing you’re struggling to let go of. Clench your fists and entire body as tightly as you can. You will soon grow uncomfortable. When the pressure is unbearable, release. Open your fists, and shake it out. Repeat as many times as necessary. Ask God to help you lay one thing down. He will be there when you pick it back up again. And that’s okay. This is a start.
