“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” (Ps.115:3). “I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” (Isa.46:9-10). Abba, “I know you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2), so grant me a non-anxious spirit and a trusting heart.
Heavenly Father, it’s easy for us to get irritated, fearful, and/or cynical with how random life seems to be. Changes at work, mosquitoes at our weddings, nations moving weapons around like chess pieces, freckles that turn into skin cancer, putting a cup of salt (rather than sugar) into the custard batter—there’s always something that leads us to ask, “Really?” “Now?” “Why?”
We may not always see your hand, discern your heart, like your ways, or celebrate your timing, but as these Scriptures remind us, you are in control of all things. And in this season of my life, I am WAY over being insulted by your sovereignty. It’s now sweeter to me than my granny’s sweet-tea, Pooh’s honey jar, and the icing on a warm Cinnabon. You never promised life between Jesus’ resurrection and return would be a “piece of cake”—a feast of grace, but not our favorite multi-layer cake.
Abba, you work in all things for your glory and our good—no exceptions. “You give and you take away,” but never randomly, always redemptively. You gave Jesus to us, and for us (Rm. 8:32). Surely, we can trust you with however you choose to write our stories—AND the stories of people we love.
When you wound, ultimately, it’s to heal. When you enrich us, it’s to make us generous. When you say “No” it’s because a better “Yes” is waiting in the redemptive-wings. Thank you and So Very Amen.
