I am such a control freak. I love colored pens, a variety of highlighters, and 30-minute interval planners. I love to-do lists and I love reminders.
I love thinking I have it all together.
I love thinking I am in control of my life.
I love thinking I can predict/change events and outcomes in my life.
If there's anything I could pass along that God has taught me during my time in college, it would be to write your wants in the sand and carve 'have Thine own way, Lord' in the stone. He's ultimately in control anyway, and it will save you a lot of heart-ache by giving the Lord control of the big things and details up front.
What I want for myself is usually a lot less than what God wants for me- He's a big God.
What I want for myself is usually too simple compared to what God wants for me- He's a complex God.
I've come to grips with the fact that if I can dream and fathom it, then it's most likely too small for God.
His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways.
I love the fact that I serve a God who doesn't need my input/suggestions to accomplish His plan and purpose for my life. Nothing I do can affect what He wants to do in/through me. I'll never be powerful enough to override the sovereignty of my God. He can take care of my dreams, hopes, and whatever issue I'm facing in life.
I read through Job in my quiet time recently, and when I read chapters 38-39, it felt like God was directly talking to me (just being honest).
The book opens with Job faces horrendous trials and complications, all the while praising God for who He is and what He's done in his life. In chapters 3-37, Job begins to complain about his circumstance/situation and question God; and in chapter 38, the Almighty God finally speaks. God begins to ask Job a series of obvious-answer questions that reveal Job's folly compared to God's wisdom.
‘Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom
and spread its wings towards the south?
Does the eagle soar at your command
and build its nest on high?
Job 39:26-27
The obvious answer to God's questions to Job? No. We read these verses and think, "Well, of course, the birds don't answer to Job, only God" but sometimes, I need God to ask me these questions.
After reading these chapters, I couldn't help but be obsessively grateful for a God who holds the whole entire world and whose control and sovereignty goes far beyond colored pens and monthly planners.
When the details of my life are in the hands of an all-knowing God, they're in good hands.