A friend was driving through Dallas not too long ago when he made a turn around the corner of a fairly busy tollway only to discover a ladder lying in the middle of the road. He quickly swerved to miss it and then called to inform the authorities so that they could get the ladder removed. It must have fallen off of a construction truck of some sort. Thankfully no one was hurt. Ladders in the middle of busy tollways could prove disastrous.
Every January at the church where I pastor we hold what is called a “Solemn Assembly.” This is one dedicated week where we come together as a congregation to fast, pray and commit our lives and our year to the Lord. There are no rules given for what a person can fast from. We simply ask that something be chosen between the person and the Lord, and that for one week, a fast occurs.
Everything you and I have, or possess, has been given to us as a direct result of God choosing to do so. There is nothing that you have received that was not either created by God or created by things that God created. God produces each and every single thing. Because He does, He claims sovereignty over it all as well. He controls it. He is the consummate, penultimate, micro-manager. He is intricately, intimately involved in every single detail. He manages the universe and all of us in it to the...
Sometimes it seems as if our culture is obsessed with control. We control the temperatures in our home to the very degree, and now many of us can even do that from our smartphones. We control our schedules while using daily planners or apps. We even control our time with God, giving Him five minutes in the morning or fifteen minutes at lunch. We seek to control our health, environment and even, at times, those around us.
Have you ever wondered why you are where you are and when things are going to change? That’s a question we all face at some point in our lives. If you haven’t asked it just yet, wait. I have a feeling you might.