January 17: Surrendering Control- Learning to Swim
Learning to Swim -Surrendering Control
Theme: Trusting God with your plans and desires
Author: Evelyn Linton
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt
you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter
5: 6, 7
Falling face-first in deep water when you’re unable to swim isn’t my idea of
fun. But that’s a part of the story of how my swimming journey began. While I
can now swim (to an extent), I am still apprehensive in the water and prefer to
look at it rather than be in it. I also prefer to have reliable support within
grabbing distance when I get tired or start to panic.
Does life as a Christian sometimes feel like that? Do you sometimes fear the
deep end or feel that you were pushed in unprepared? You are never alone.
Jesus, our swimming instructor, loves you. He also walks on water and always has
a close eye on you. He will never allow you to sink.
Swimming begins with learning to float. This means letting go, relaxing and
relying on someone else to support you. But isn’t that the hardest part?
Surrendering to Christ sometimes feels like that, especially for those of us
who like to plan, control, and arrange every step of our lives. Step 1: Earn a
first degree by age twenty-two. Step 2: Get married by twenty-five. Step 3:
Have two children by thirty… and a house with a white picket fence….and so
on.
But what happens when God has another plan? What happens when, like Abraham and
Sarah God says wait …and the waiting period is twenty-five years to have the
child He promised? Add their ages to the mix (Gen. 21:5) and a childless
marriage of over fifty years (if Sarah got married in her teens according to
Jewish tradition). That does not even make biological sense. What if, like the
prophet Hosea, God asks you to love beyond betrayal? What if, like Jeremiah, He
tells you the painful message that marriage is not his plan for you (Jer. 16:1
& 2)? Is it easy to let go of our plans and desires during those
logic-defying experiences?
What if God gives you a dream, like Joseph, that you embrace, then you end up
in some dingy pit and prison? How could betrayal by brothers, slavery and false
imprisonment equate to the blessings of God? How could that be the path God has
chosen to bless you?
Thankfully, we have the complete success stories of these servants of God who
struggled just like we do with trusting God’s plan for our lives. Check the
evidence. Following God’s plan always results in “good success” (Josh. 1:8,
Prov. 10:22 (NKJV); Prov. 3: 3-6 (ESV)). Wait patiently on the Lord. Keep
trusting Him to keep you afloat even though the waves are high and the journey
does not seem to make sense. “And my God will liberally supply (fill until
full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil
4:19 AMP)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for caring for us and holding us steady in life’s
deep waters. Teach us to trust Your timing and surrender our plans to You. Help
us cast our cares upon You, knowing You will never let us sink. Strengthen our
faith when the journey feels uncertain, and remind us of Your promises that
always lead to good success.
Thank You for being our anchor and our guide. We rest in
Your love and grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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