I’m a task-oriented person.  I enjoy getting things done quickly and marking it off my ‘to do’ list.  The instant gratification fuels me to push forward and do more.  For me, it’s not just about doing the task but doing it with excellence.  Some would call that being a perfectionist—and, being transparent, I must admit they are right (it’s something I work hard to overcome).  While this trait can be a positive thing, it can also be something that leaves me frustrated and (sometimes) paralyzed because I become so overwhelmed with the unachievable expectation’s I place on myself.  This fact affects my relationship with God.  Rather than trust and rely on Him to supply my needs or help me through certain situations (as He’s promised in His word that He would do for His children), I attempt to help God out.  And maybe speed Him along….because He doesn’t do things on my time table.  I like offering suggestions how He should do things on my behalf.  You know, helpful suggestions, because God might need my input or opinion on the matters of my life [insert sarcastic eye roll here].

Recently, I was preparing for a Christmas sermon I will be preaching in a few weeks and I came across a statistic that blew my mind.  There over 300 prophesies throughout the Old Testament that foretold of Christ’s coming.  The probability that every single prophecy would all completely come true in its entirety is [BRACE YOURSELF]

1 in 87,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

In case you were wondering, that’s 93 zeros.  What IS that number?  After we get past the trillion mark, I’m totally lost.  My mind can’t fathom the immensity of that number!  All of that to say this, what makes us think God can’t handle orchestrating all things to work for our good, as scripture promises us?  What makes us think God is shaken or concerned with a cancer diagnosis we have just received?  What makes us think God can’t step into an utterly hopeless situation by reconciling or resurrecting a dead relationship, mending a broken heart, or any number of things we choose to worry about.  King David stated in his old age, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” [Ps 37:25]  If my children have need of anything–you can take it to the bank–I’ll do everything within my power to help provide it for them.  That’s what any good father does.  What makes us think our Heavenly Father won’t do the same on our behalf (and don’t forget, His word has already promised us such)?

Closing remarks and encouragement:  We allow ourselves to get so bogged down with the details of this life we fail to remember we have a Heavenly Father who is waiting to intervene on our behalf in every situation.  But friends, it will require us to get out of the way.  It will require us to give Him control no matter how scary it may seem.  Nothing catches Him unaware or surprises Him.  I pray you can walk in the peace that knowledge gives you today.

Have a blessed week, my friends!