Jonathan Reed
Surrender and control. Two very powerful words when it comes to faithfulness. I personally struggle with both. I imagine that I am not alone. I do not like change at all. I like carefully laid plans. The problem with that is the setup for chaos if something goes astray. But that never happens, right?
I am currently in a big season of change. I am retiring from a career of twenty-four years. We also just went through a four-month process of selling, buying, and moving to a new home. The past few months have had extreme highs and lows, but through it all, God has been faithful. His timing has definitely not been my timing. But as always, His timing was right.
‘Therefore, the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18
This one passage has been the constant in my life. If you rest on this promise, it can be a game-changer for you. Our God is a good God. He will never fail you, and He wants good things for you. You must surrender and give Him control.
At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen. Isaiah 60:22
I will share two recent examples in my life where God’s timing and plan were better than mine. I was nearing retirement eligibility, but a significant job promotion was being dangled in front of me like a big, juicy steak. It was presented like a sure thing, until it wasn’t. Of course, I was devastated when I learned I couldn’t even apply for it. But God, in a way only He could, showed me what that promotion and future would have looked like. I immediately understood and had peace with the situation. I submitted my retirement paperwork and never looked back.
Next, the house-selling, buying, and moving process – enter extreme stress, worry, and uncertainty. I have doubted, lost my temper, and just flat out tried to control the entire situation. If it wasn’t for my incredibly awesome wife, I might not have made it. She’s my anchor and gave me the verses above to remind me who is in control and to stop worrying about everything. When the selling part wasn’t going well, my wife kept hearing “wait.” I doubted. Then, she heard it was time. I still doubted. We had a contract on our house within five days of her hearing from God. By the grace of God, we are now in a forever home, and we love it. I might have lost a few years off my life, but we made it.
Listening Prompt
God, what am I still trying to control that You’re asking me to surrender to You?
Prayer
Lord, I pray that I would learn to trust You fully and surrender control into Your hands. Remind me that I am never meant to carry the weight of everything on my own. Help me have faith that when things don’t go as I planned, You are still at work—protecting me, guiding me, and leading me in love. Teach me to pause, take a deep breath, and fix my mind on Jesus, trusting that You will never lead me astray. Amen.
