You Think You Are In Charge - Think Again

How much do you and I actually control? Maybe more than we think — at least while we are alive and well.

Once you wake up in the morning, you can make a lot of choices. You can work out, drink your coffee, show up on time, clean your surroundings, eat better, be kind to people, work hard, forgive somebody, encourage somebody, or waste the entire day. We have responsibility for how we live.

But here is the bigger question: Who controls whether you wake up at all? Who ultimately gives you the strength, health, resources, relationships, opportunities, and stability that allow you to make those choices?

For me, the answer is God.

Isaiah 3 gives a sobering picture of this. Judah and Jerusalem had become rebellious, proud, and spiritually careless. They had leaders, military strength, food, water, skilled workers, judges, counselors, and an established society. They probably felt secure. Then God reminded them how quickly all of those things could disappear.

“Understand this: The Lord GOD All-Powerful will take away everything Judah and Jerusalem need—all the food and water, the heroes and great soldiers, the judges and prophets… the military leaders and government leaders, the counselors, the skilled craftsmen… The LORD says, ‘I will cause young boys to be your leaders, and foolish children will rule over you.’” (Isaiah 3:1–4, NCV)

In the original Hebrew, the idea behind “everything Judah and Jerusalem need” carries the sense of their support and supply — the things holding society up. God was saying, in effect, “You think these things are permanent because they are around you now. They are not. I can remove what you are depending on.”

That is the lesson for me.

I should plan. I should work. I should exercise. I should save money. I should take care of my home, my health, my marriage, and my responsibilities. But I should never confuse stewardship with sovereignty. We control our choices. We do not control everything surrounding those choices.

I do not control the final outcome - God does.

That is why the beginning of the day may be one of the best times to talk with God. Before the phone, the schedule, the problems, and the plans take over, remember where the day came from.

If your day needs a push and a little perspective, maybe pray something like this:

GOD, thank You for today, for my health, and for the simple blessings I sometimes take for granted. Help me be a good steward of everything You put in front of me today. Help me honor You, love others as myself, and live with gratitude for Christ saving my soul for eternity. IJNIP amen ♥️

(A long time ago - business function)