Isaiah 41:4 – “Who controlled the lives of everyone from the beginning? I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning, and I will be here when all things are finished.”

While hiking the ridge, I stopped to admire a hillside carpeted in a glorious array of white, lacy flowers. My husband chuckled prior to announcing, “I’m pretty sure that’s the weed you’ve been pulling from our flower beds.”

What! I never could have guessed the small and insignificant weeds I forbade in my yard would have bloomed into this beautiful bridal veil display. Absolutely nothing in my yard looked stunning. My flower bed (that cost me good money) featured crunchy brown plants despite my constant coddling.

Reflecting on the beauty of the hillside, I considered my rationale for pulling those weeds. It dawned on me, the flowers I purchased were chosen by me, planted by me, watered by me, and pruned by me. Not so that weed. How dare it grow in my yard, on my watch, and without my permission! I had every right to pluck it. Right?

I’ve told myself it isn’t my fault I’m a control freak. My life, perhaps like yours, has been spent directing others. As a mother, a grandmother, an older sister, a teacher, not to mention an overseer of a guinea pig, goldfish, hamster, turtle, cat, and dog, the director’s chair is mine and my expectations require everyone following my script.

But Isaiah 41:4 reminds us it is God alone who has, since the beginning of time, been in control. God was in control when Adam and Eve came to life in His garden. He was the God orchestrating the parting of the mighty sea. God was in control of the host of angels singing at the birth of His son. And God controlled the earth that shook the prison doors open for Paul.

Friend, our great God always has been and will continue to be in control. So today is the day we vacate the director’s chair. Our Heavenly Father desires for us to relinquish control and bloom into a glorious and beautiful life with Him.

Father God, may we ever delight in the fact that you have been in control from the beginning and will be till the end of time.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane