Don’t Worry, You Have No Control

From JT:

The Paradox of Important but Impossible Tasks in Ministry

“The most important things we want to do in ministry are the things we are absolutely powerless to do. And that ought to be the most freeing thing in your life.”

—Kevin DeYoung, speaking at NEXT (audio clip here).

HT: GirlTalk

Here’s the situation: Something is uncontrollable, you are given the opportunity to worry about it.

The typical response is “don’t worry about it, you can’t do anything about it.” This is unsatisfying, because regardless of your influence, you still care about the outcome. The worry (and thus bondage, to contrast with the quote) comes from concern, and unless that concern is eliminated, there will be cause for anxiety.

The true reliever of anxiety is found in the sovereignty of God, coupled with His promises of good for those who love Him. Apart from that, you ought to worry.

His Ways Are Higher

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,
declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9

My thoughts are sinful. My ways lead to error. My plans fail.

If God’s ways were not higher than mine, He would not be God.

Big Decisions

There are a few big decisions that I’m making. The one I’m most excited about is going to remain a secret for now, at least to the blog world. Some friends already know since I talk about it constantly

The other big decision is this: I’m going to buy a house. Well, I’m going to offer on a house and I hope to get it. It’s a gorgeous house too. A Bethlehem family owns it now, but they already have an offer accepted at a new place, so they want to sell this one. This house is right where I want to live, in the middle of Phillips, near some friends, I could stop looking and just get a house. I’m ready. Lets do it.

But…

Both of these things have the potential to be very good things. Exceedingly good. Like I’m crazy excited to see how they both work out. But they may not. I might not get this house. The other thing could end up flopping (please Lord, let things go well!). I have no control over the decisions others make. I play my part, not theirs. I may want people to think and act in certain ways, but there are no guarantees. Both these things are contingent on the decision of other people, and the Lord will work out all things for the good of those who love Him.

May the Lord do what seems good to Him.

Ask Pastor John

The latest Ask Pastor John, dealing with the question “How would you counsel someone who blames their temptations on God’s sovereignty?” is amazing!

Please listen to this clip!