Hold nothing back

The vast majority of Americans are Christians, but very few appear to truly follow Jesus. Why? Many are control freaks.

I’m a control freak. With people? Sometimes. With God? Quite often.
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It’s hard to completely trust God with my life.

The Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT).

I claim to be a Christian, and I go to church. But I don’t always surrender my life to His control. Rather, I like to control things myself. I’m a control freak.

Maybe you are, too.

Today, I’m writing about “using” God. I feel as if I sometimes use God instead of allowing Him to use me. I’ve been trusting in my own strength, placing His greater strength on the back burner. I’ve been trying to make myself into who I think I should be instead of allowing God to make me into who He has created me to be.

And that’s exactly where many Christians are stranded.

We go to church, come home, and try our hardest to be in control of our lives. We benefit from the salvation. It’s nice to claim Jesus as Savior and Lord. But when it comes to actually following His lead, we have some trust issues.

“Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:1-2 NLT).

Figuratively speaking, a “house” can refer to many different things. The most important house is you—that’s right, you’re a house. So am I. Ask yourself a question: “Is God building my house, or am I using God to build my house?”

The Bible is telling me that I’m wasting my time if I choose to build my own life.

God knows me better than I know myself. He comprehends my true heart, and His plans are always better than my own. Sure, I don’t always understand His ways, but that’s where trust enters.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

Additionally, Solomon tells me that I’m using unnecessary anxiety when I choose to build my own life.

Man, it’s hard to lead your own life. There’s enough stress in this world without the added stress of being in control of your own life.

Trust releases some major burdens.

I don’t know about you, but I want God to build my life. I desire to be fully surrendered to following Jesus Christ. Not only does He know how to truly exceed my expectations, He can better handle the stresses that come with control.

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (Psalm 55:22 NLT).

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light’” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT).
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My prayer, my vision, is to see a Church willing and ready to surrender it all for the glory of His name. Hold nothing back.