Who's In Control Anyway?

When I go on vacation – I like to know where I’m going, how long am I going to be there, how am I going to get there, what do I need to take with me, how much is it going to cost me. I reschedule and/or cancel appointments. I get the house cleaned-up. Make sure the dishes are done – the trash is taken out. Is the heat/air turned off? Put in vacation time at work. Did I lock the doors?


I plan. I prepare.

I have the GPS set in my car – I know where I am going. I know how long it will take me to get there. I have the air in my tires, gas in my tank, a drink in the console. I am ready to go.

I have planned and am prepared, but am I?

At any given point, something could happen – a tire could blow, construction blocking my way, detours…or worse. An accident. Didn’t plan for that. That’s not in my itinerary. My 3-ring binder doesn’t have that listed as one of my “stops”.

I have been reminded lately that as much as I like to be in control – think I’m in control – I actually have control of NOTHING in this life.

I was reminded of this while on my trip in Ecuador. The guide for our trip was a wise gentleman. He is very gentle and laid-back. He would give us just the information we needed at that time. He told us, “You don’t need all the information, some of you will forget and well, you don’t need it right now. And some of you need to learn that circumstances are out of your control.”

He told us of a story of a really good friend of his. He was 55 years old. He had his 5 & 10-yr career and financial plans documented. He worked out and was at the top of his game physically. He was completely on top of every aspect of his life, until…

Something wasn’t feeling right – so he went to the doctor. He was immediately rushed through tests / exams. He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. 8 days later – he was dead. He had planned for his retirement. He was in top physical shape. Seemingly, his life was in perfect order, but in 8 days, he lost his life. As much as he seemed to be in control – he was not.

Neither am I.

This morning, I was reminded again as I read of a friend who awoke to her neighbors house on fire. In a moment, their lives were changed as one of their children did not survive. In a moment! No 5 or 10-year plan can prepare you for that. No physical fitness program. No insurance. It’s out of your control.

I don’t very much like that. Nope – not at all.

I like to be in control. I like to know what’s coming next. But I’m learning, I don’t always need “all the information” or “I don’t need it right now”. Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan or prepare. It doesn’t mean you should loaf through this life being lazy. But it does mean that there are certain things out of your control – no matter how much you plan and prepare.

But I am realizing one thing - I can control how I respond to the Love that Jesus bestowed when He died on the cross for my sins. I can either choose to accept His free gift or reject it. That’s it.

I’ve taken control – I have accepted His free gift. I may not be able to control any of life’s circumstances that come my way, but I know that I am not alone and that God stands with me through it all, providing me the strength and comfort and hope and peace that I need, when I need it.