There are two things you can always count on in the life of a Christian – seasons will be unpredictable and ever changing, and you are presented with uncertainty around every turn. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…” (Ecc. 3:1-4 ESV)
Each of those traits of the Christian life are foundations for why faith is so important. In the midst of new seasons, change, and uncertainty, we are faced with an option. Lean into the Father who is fully equipped to handle the roughest seas because he made the seas, or maneuver through the waves by ourselves without sight of the shore.
Control is a tempting but fleeting concept. Like holding water in your hands forever. It’s possible for a moment, but unsustainable over time because our hands were not designed for that purpose and it will eventually spill through the cracks. We were not designed to hold our lives in our own hands, we may manage control for a time, but eventually it will fall apart by way of our shortcomings and limited human nature.
Our faith lives are a compilation of choices. Either surrender our wills to God allowing him to hold the reigns, or hanging on as tight as we can in the rodeo of this broken world. He is an all knowing, perfectly timed, and unconditionally good Father- so why can it be so difficult to submit to him as daughters and relinquish control? Our prideful flesh natures’ convince us time after time that we know what is “best” for ourselves, just as Eve did. Every testimony of the Christian’s walk is a joyful collaboration of seized opportunities to submit our wills to the Lord, allowing him to lead and remain in His presence, but it is also made up of painful times we failed to waive our rights unto Christ, acting as the lords of our own lives. Yet, despite ourselves, we serve a God that still chases after us, still extends the opportunity to choose him, and still pours out blessings upon us, his beloved children. He is perfectly loving because, He is love.
As a newly married woman, I knew there would be uncertainty around every turn as I begin my life with my husband and we start our own family. With our eyes fixed on Christ we moved into unchartered waters, simultaneously exciting and unknown. As if being in a totally new place, with a new husband, new job, and all the new dynamics of marriage weren’t enough change, my husband also began his career as an Army officer. I signed up for this life, and could not be more proud of my husband, but the reality is that I am faced with new seasons in every area of my life, each filled to the brim with uncertainty. Father God, who knows my heart, knows my struggles and tendencies brought me to a place full of joy, blessing, and answered prayers- while also pushing me to make a decision everyday- to chose to lean into him, or rely on my own strength. I have no idea where we will be stationed in a year, what I will do for work, if my husband will be safe, the whole gamut of questions. It can be daunting to say the least, but we are never left without guidance and comfort from His words.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Cor. 12:9 ESV).
I rest in the truth in the infallible Word of God and rest on His promises. He brings us into unchartered waters, because He wants us to choose Him in the midst of our weakness!
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:6 ESv). Uncertainty will come, new seasons are definite, but the Lord is constant. When your knees are weak, fall to them. Its not by your power or ability to control that you will find asylum. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 ESV). When we lean into the Father and allow ourselves to submit control, we find peace. He promises us that there will never be a difficulty without his hand extended to us to lead the way through it, we just have to trust him enough to take that hand. We have to choose Him.
