It’s Alzheimer’s – It’s Time For Extraordinary LoveSample

How can God ask us to give up so much control of our lives?

By Pastor Curt Seefeldt, Director of Church Relations at The Lutheran Home Association

Diseases such as dementia teach us that ultimately, we don’t have control of our lives. God does.

James explains this truth: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:13-15). In all of life, no one but the Lord is really in control. That has been true from our very beginning. We did not orchestrate our own conception, nor did we have a say in our own birth. Those were God’s decisions. 

I know I like to think I am in control of my own destiny. I like to think when I make wise plans and when I work diligently to carry out my plans, I can expect my plans will succeed. James has a different insight. My plans may work as planned, but only if it is the Lord’s will. If the Lord decides to adjust my plans, the plans change. That is that! 

However, I remember the promise. He works all things according to his good purpose (Romans 8:28). Yes, God may change my plans, but only and always when he has something better in mind. That is why I do not need to be in control of my life in order to be happy and secure.

Prayer: 

Dear Jesus, help me to pray like you did, “not as I will, but as you will!” (Matthew 26:39). As I pray those words, help me to accept what they mean and live like I mean it. Lord, you know I have wishes, hopes, and plans. Help me to see that you have different ideas and plans, which are more far-reaching and beneficial. My prayer today is that I take these truths to heart, attempt to only control what I can control and trust you to take care of the rest. I pray as your servant. Amen.