"...All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things Hold together." - Col. 1:16-17
Last Sunday's service was all about the cross. Pastor Aaron made a statement that left me in awe. He reminded us that even while Jesus was on the cross, dying, He was still in control of all things. He didn't have to stay on the cross. It's not that He couldn't save Himself. Even in his last breath, flesh mangled, body hanging, He maintained the power to overthrow those who were killing Him. Yet, He chose to stay on the cross, enduring death, because of His great love for us. And even in His "weakest" moment {if I can call it that}, while life was leaving His body, He was still holding the universe together!
So often I try to hold things together; in the midst of it all I overlook the obvious. Why are there days when I believe I’m the glue that holds the details of my life together? It's not that I would ever say it out loud. But my actions reveal the truth.
Can you relate?
Usually those are the days we feel frazzled, overwhelmed or defeated. Why work so hard at maintaining the illusion of control when God is sitting on the throne? That’s like running a marathon in a rat wheel, thinking we're actually getting somewhere. On our greatest day, we are not even in control of whether or not we will live to see another hour.
Can you relate?
Usually those are the days we feel frazzled, overwhelmed or defeated. Why work so hard at maintaining the illusion of control when God is sitting on the throne? That’s like running a marathon in a rat wheel, thinking we're actually getting somewhere. On our greatest day, we are not even in control of whether or not we will live to see another hour.
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."
To sustain means "to keep a person from giving way, as under trial or affliction." It means "to support, hold, or bear the weight of (a burden); to provide for or give support to, especially by supplying necessities." I don't know about you, but I'm loving that word "sustain"! Cast your cares on Him and He will sustain you. What a promise! :) {THANKS, LORD!}
I'm wondering how different life might be if every morning we reminded ourselves that God is in control so we don't have to be. {Insert sigh of relief here.} I'm so glad I don't have to rely on me, because I will surely let myself and others down. But faithful God will never fall short as He holds my life together, doing the same for you. ;)
I'm slowly learning to let go and let God {...join me?}
-Monique
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Abby from Fan the Flame has inspired me to share what God is teaching me each Sunday. And today, I'm delighted to be linking with Michelle , the founder of this whole idea, for...
This is such a lovely reminder. This is just the support that I needed today on one of those tougher days. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteDear "Seashore," I'm encouraged to hear that you were encouraged! Thanks for stopping by. :) P.S. I just stopped by your place too! So nice to "meet" you.
ReplyDeleteOh, so thankful that you joined. I've found Michelle's linky a great way to process the sermon and allow it to sink more deeply into my heart!
ReplyDeleteAnd we were in sync this week, weren't we? It is amazing how He still held all things together even in his 'weakest'...we were just reading about this in Jesus Bible Storybook how it says it 'wasn't the nails it was love' and that He could have come down in a word...so amazing! Bless you sister:}
So true, Abby! I love it put that way, "it wasn't the nails, it was the love." Just beautiful. :) Blessing to you too! Looking forward to future Mondays! :)
ReplyDeleteThe idea that we must "let go and let God" makes so much sense, but it's so tough to do sometimes, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteVisiting from (in)courage and glad I found your blog!
Absolutely, Amy! It is so difficult to do! It's way easier said than done! I'm right there with ya! Thanks for visiting. I'm on my way to stop by your place. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this, "even at his 'weakest' moment, He was still holding the universe together." Those are powerful words. Do I really realize how able He is to take my mess? Choosing to cast my cares with you...
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really need to trust today that God is in control as I definitely am not. Love the phrase about holding the universe together.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Monique! It is such an important reminder for me that He is holding all of "this" together. I am glad that He is so good at being strong so I can feel completely comfortable being weak.
ReplyDeleteShannon, I'm so thankful to know you're casting cares with me. It's so hard to do sometimes! I praise God for accountability and community along the way. :)
ReplyDeleteShanda, so glad you stopped by! I'm looking forward to heading over to your place for a visit.
Jamie, I hear ya! I have to constantly remind myself that it's okay to be weak! In fact, our fellow blogger, Abby, recently reminded me that our brokenness honors God. It's such a hard concept. But I'm right there with you, sister! Thanking God for His strength. :)
I remember when I first thought about how Christ STAYED up on the cross, even though He didn't have to. It puts a totally new perspective on what He did for us. And, it reveals a temptation that He faced, that we will never face.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff to think about. :)
So true, Brenda! Good stuff to think about. Makes my heart so much more grateful for what He did for us. :)
ReplyDeleteEven in Jesus' "weakest" moment He was still holding the universe together. Wow, what an awesome truth! I'm so glad I don't have to rely on me and I'm sorry for the times I act like I do.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Michelle's and the Hear it, Use It link up. Many blessings!
This is great, Monique! I needed to remember this. I remind myself each day that it's going to be an absolutely wonderful day...but I also need to remind myself that God is fully in control. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Fawn! Thanks for stopping by. :) P.S. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Lisa! So glad you stopped by from Michelle's! Looking forward to checking out your blogs. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a Type A control freak, I absolutely cannot be reminded of this enough. Thank you, Monique -- and thank you for joining in the Hear It, Use It community. I am so grateful to have you there!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I am the same way! Type A, all the way, as much as I hate to admit it. But I thank God for His grace and gentle way of teaching me that He is absolutely in control. I'm so glad to be a part of the Hear It, Use It community and I can't wait for future Mondays. :)
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