Oh, my goodness, y’all. So, you know how I like listening (okay, blaring) music in my car, right? I will never, ever apologize for cranking up the Jesus beats. Well, Tenth Avenue North has a song out called Control.
Have you heard it yet?
No? Well, allow me to introduce to you the song that has been on repeat in my head for days now.
Part of the chorus goes a little something like this:
God, you don’t need me
But somehow you want me
Oh, how you love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
and the way it should go.
…
To open my hands up and give you control
I give you control.
Really, y’all. This song has been in my head since the first time I heard it.
Is it stuck because the song is catchy? Maybe.
Is it stuck because the lyrics are something I need to hear and really consider? That’s most likely probably so.
Why is it so hard?
Why is it that I (and maybe even you) have such a hard time taking my hands off of my life and the way I think it should go? I know that God’s plans for me are better than my own, but why do I struggle with it?
Why do I get frustrated when the plans I’ve made for myself crumble and slip through my fingers?
Is it because I see a life I’ve envisioned and I’m grasping at the edges of that vision without looking to the One who holds it all?
Y’all, it all boils down to control.
That’s the answer to all of the questions. I want to have control.
But, as life goes on, I’ve learned there are many, many things that are outside of my control. No matter how hard I struggle to grasp hold of the reins, those reins were not meant for my hands.
What does the Word say?
Scripture tells us in several different places that God’s plans and thoughts for me (and for you) are better than my own.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Imagine what would happen– imagine the difference that would be made in this world– if every Christian gave control back to God and let Him guide the way. Imagine what would happen, if we set aside our own plans, desired the plans God set for us, and then went and earnestly sought God for those plans. Scripture tells us He will listen and answer those prayers. We’d become world changers, y’all. World. Changers.
Lord, I give You control
Friends, I absolutely know one thing. The plans I made years ago for myself have mostly crumbled. And I thought those plans were pretty great to start out with.
But, since they crumbled, it’s probably a safe bet to say that those plans weren’t the plans God had set for me. Not the path I was supposed to walk. Not the direction I was supposed to go. And when I sit and think about it, that’s a good thing. Because it’s really hard to tell what destruction would have been waiting for me on down the road if God hadn’t put a halt to my plans. Misery? Brokenness? Loneliness? Who knows. But, I don’t want to find out.
I don’t know all of His plan. There’s a good chance you probably don’t know all of the details of the plan He has set for you, either. And that’s okay. Because if we did know, we’d be grabbing at the wheel fighting for control when it looks like God’s steered us in the wrong direction. (Spoiler: He knows the way. He doesn’t need Siri.)
We can be sure, though, wherever God is leading us, it’s going to be good.
So, y’all, this is me letting go and giving God control. Wherever He leads me, wherever I end up, whatever He calls me to do, I’ll go. And His plan will be better than I ever dreamed.
Shine bright, y’all.
Cassie,
This is so good. What a beautiful reminder of the necessity of daily surrender. I don’t know that song, but I am going to check it out. Thanks for being an inspiration today!
Alicia- I guarantee it’ll be stuck in your head! You can thank me later. 😉
Thank you so much for this!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for stopping by, Quantrilla!
Gurl, that was awesome. I can totally relate to needing to know when to give over that control. I love how your worded it. We don’t know God’s plan for us and it is hard to LET GO at times. I ,personally. am a control freak. I like knowing what I am facing, so God is forever working on me with this.
BTW I love that song.
Glad to know I’m not the only one that’s a constant work in progress! 😉
Great post, Cassie, reminding us that we have a Destiny designed by God. I have a study series coming out in January called Living Out My Destiny and you’ve touched on part 1 on My Life, His Plans.
Thanks for sharing your desire to be used of God how He wants. Your marching orders are coming.
Blessings to you sweet sister. ❤
Cindy, I sure hope you’re right about those marching orders! I’ll definitely be checking out your study series! Is that for your Facebook group?
Hi Cassie, yes it is for my DIG Gals but will also be posted on the blog starting Jan 16th.
Awesome! I’ll be sure to keep my eyes peeled for it! 🙂
Wow, Cassie. So true. Our sin nature and flesh want the control. I know I struggle with this too. It’s why I don’t enjoy flying or roller coasters and sometimes other drivers. 🙂 Love the song and the Scriptures you shared. Lord, help us give You control.
Karen, I only have a problem with other drivers if I’m driving and passing cars clearly don’t know how to operate a vehicle. If I’m not driving, I don’t pay any attention. But, I can totally relate!
This is definitely something I need to constantly practice. I’m usually so quick to take the reins. I have to remind myself to ‘let go and let God’.
Thanks for sharing, Cassie ❤️
Chioma- I’m quick to try to take the reigns back, too. But, I’ve learned I don’t know what I’m doing. As in, not a clueee! God has to lead! 🙂
Such a beautiful and gentle reminder that we are at the mercy of a compassionate, sovereign God. The dreams I’ve had for myself… the things I strived for so hard only to fail and wonder: Am I not good enough? Why can’t I achieve this? And the comfort that comes when I lay it down and trust that His plan for me is good and that there is purpose in his direction for my life! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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.” I cling to this verse. I cling to the promise that all things are working together for my good through Christ Jesus! I want to grow with Jesus through the good and the bad so that I know I am faithful because I love him, not because he gave me everything I ever wanted in life. Thank you for this post, sister <3
Amen! Thank you for reminding me the importance of surrendering to Jesus! I like to plan and I really like it when things go my way (lol) but that is rarely the case and I am thankful for God’s continuing guidance and love. He definitely keeps me on track!
Oh, Robin, things RARELY go my way either. I can plan until I’m blue in the face and have it crumble. But, I suppose if those plans would wreck me, might as well crumble, right? 🙂
Cassie I just read this and want you to know: it’s not any easier to let go and let God when you’re married than when you’re single. I mean, it’s great and all but really, life isn’t a lot clearer here than it was back there! And I need to remember this every day! Thanks for inspiring me!
Joella- To be honest, this post originally came about over a job that I so desperately wanted, but was passed up on. But, thank you for being honest. I feel like a lot of single people (sometimes, myself included) that life will be easier once there’s someone there to do it with. But, as I’ve seen from watching others, that’s not always the case. Marriage comes with it’s own problems. Which, is why God needs to be in the midst of it. Thanks for your comment, Joella. It’s definitely given me something to think about. 🙂