Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor
It's off to the races everybody out the door
I'm feeling like I'm falling behind, it's a crazy life
Ninety miles an hour going fast as I can
Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand
So much to do in so little time, it's a crazy life
It's ready, set, go it's another wild day… Johnny Diaz Breathe
Sound familiar?
Our lives have become an intricate web of events all strung together by our ability to get there, get a child there, or make it happen.
Is anyone tired yet?
The culture in which we live is fast paced, and that’s the problem: We’re not supposed to live in the culture, but affect the culture in which we live.
But How? The pull to do is fierce, especially when you add in the activities of our kids, the demands of the school they attend, our service in our churches, our work and, oh yeah, actually being present in the relationships that are so important to us.
It starts with a simple choice: will we choose to live out each day according to our own terms, or God’s?
When I have lived my life on my own terms I have created all kinds of stress and lived in a near-constant state of chaos. I have a limited understanding and a limited ability to be in control because of my human-ness. So do you, but we both keep trying to figure it all out anyway, don’t we? We both keep trying to make it all work according to how we think it’s supposed to fit together. Running ourselves ragged in the process to the point where our to-do lists supersede the people in our lives and we erupt at the minutest change or slowing of our pace.
Looking at the life you and I often lead, would anyone want to be a Christ-follower like us?
There’s a better way. What could happen if, instead of trying to be in charge, we surrendered and allowed God to lead instead?
When we let God lead, we are given all we need to be able to relax, trusting that what needs to get done will get done.
When we let God lead, He keeps us from saying yes when we should say no, without guilt.
When we let God lead, we are given the strength to keep going when life gets tough.
It starts with a choice. One that’s big, I admit, but can I just tell you something? Every time I have made a conscious decision to allow God to lead, to trust that His way, even when I don’t understand it, will ultimately be better than what I hope for, He has never disappointed.
There has been rest when I needed it most, and enough time left over to get done what He had planned for me to do.
There has been freedom in saying no, and protection too, which has allowed me to be fully present in what I did say yes to.
There has been strength to face the fear, overcome the struggle, and stand firm in the face of obstacles I had no clue how to manage.
This, I believe, is what God longs to do for all of us. And, this surrendering is how we become powerful lights for the full life Christ promises for those still living in the darkness of chaos due to busy-ness.
Will you choose to let him lead?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Join the conversation: How could the effectiveness of your influence change if you let God lead?