"The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. "For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail. -1 Samuel 2:6-9
I was laying in bed one night after work thinking about some of the conversations I had with members of the crew. Then it dawned on me how often I'm hearing folks talk about the same thing. I got to thinking about all that I have in my life, and how in reality, control had nothing to do with any of it.
These were some of my thoughts...
-I had no control over who my parents would be, but I was born to the greatest Mom and Dad a man could ask for.
-I had no control over who my Grand Parents would be, but I wound up with great ones who I loved very much.
-I had no control over who my Uncle and Aunt would be, but I wound up with great ones who make me laugh all the time when I visit with them.
-I had no control over having the best cousins ever.
-I had no control over having an awesome Brother and sister.
-I had no control over who my Brother in Law would be, but I got a good one because he takes great care of his family, and he loves Scuba Diving ;)
-I had no control over where I was born, but I wound up being born in the greatest country in the world.
-I had no control as to whether my boss would hire me or not for the great job that I have right now.
-I had no control over the promotions I would receive at the job or where they might send me, because that is entirely up to the boss. Everywhere I have been sent on this job has been awesome.
-I have no control over which friends come and go out of my life, but the ones who were meant to be in my life have stuck with me.
-I had no control over my love for the outdoors, or being raised near the water, in a family of watermen, where my love for fishing and boating came from. My love for the outdoors has opened my eyes to God's creative handiwork. (Psalm 107:8-9)
-I had no control over my love and talent for Wildlife/Creation art, and Photography. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
-I have no control over material things that become broken or worn out. But when they do, I hope to learn from them.
-I had and will have no control over loosing loved ones here in this life. But I am comforted knowing that God has prepared a place for them when the time comes. (John 14:1-6)
The point I'm trying to make is this... I'm really glad that I don't have control. I'm perfectly fine with it! Because whenever I've tried to take control, I have always messed things up. But letting God have control has brought me blessings beyond what I can fathom. Yes, I need to take what God gives me and use those things for His Glory. But as a follower of Him, I'm only going to receive what He decides is good for me. I found out a long time ago, that If I try to use what He gives me for my own selfish desires, the control that I'm trying to take will only blow up in my face.
God is in control whether we like it or not. We have none whatsoever over what He has already preplanned. Whatever He gives me, whether it be material things, advice from someone who loves Him, or has more experience than me, or a Godly love for those who are in my life, I'm going to let Him have the control, and use my life the way He sees fit.
"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' -Acts 17:24-28
Thank you for stopping by. Don't forget to get outside and enjoy the outdoors!
In Christ,
Kevin-