Tuesday, July 5, 2016

How Calming the Relief When We Relinquish Control

The few highways that exist in this neck of the woods buzz endlessly with heavy traffic in this summer season.  If need be, we venture out on those busy roads.   But as much as is humanly possible, we chose a different pathway.

We embrace a slower pace, a quieter vista, less hustle and bustle.  It does body and soul good to ratchet everything down a few notches.  For life gets far too frenetic and crazed if we allow it.

And it never hurts to take along a good map to serve as a helpful guide as we navigate the uncertainty of those oft' narrow, unmarked roads.

'Cause it's too easy to lose our way.

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As we sojourn along life's winding, sometimes perilous pathway, the Holy One who writes our story and orchestrates our days invites us to hand the chauffeur's cap over to Him.  His pre-chosen, all-wise timetable firmly in hand, the Author and Finisher of our faith is more than ready, willing, and able to safely guide us on the journey into the future that's known only to Him.

We lean into Him with huge sighs of relief, for our endless attempts to control and manipulate life's circumstances have proven to be exhausting and futile.  We follow His lead with expectation, even when our hope is tinged with whiffs of fear.  We choose to do so because He's proven to be repeatedly faithful and trustworthy, and His character shines with a steady wisdom that can't be denied.

We're in no way interested in impatiently running ahead or dragging our fearful feet in resignation 'cause we've been there, done that ... and have learned from past experience that our impulsive choices to forge forward or linger too long without His guidance never serve us {or Him} well.

Our uncertain souls crave His gracious care.

As we entrust our dreams, hopes, and desires to His tender leadership, He gives us light for each moment and sweet reassuring glimmers of the road ahead.  He holds us close to His beating heart as he carries us safely through those treacherous valleys that would easily swallow us alive if we were venturing alone.

His loving guidance fills us with hope and assurance as He whispers, 'peace, be still.'  For He knows the end from the beginning.




Keeping in pace with His sacred rhythms frees us from having to figure out every last detail.  And choosing to invest our energy in enjoying His companionship rather than playing the know-it-all grows our faith ... and gets us where we're going in a much calmer frame of mind.

He leads.

We follow.

Our souls overflow with unspeakable gratitude.







*

traveling with

40 comments:

  1. Indeed, a lesson I've learned the hard way, but it has all been so worth it! Loving this journey I'm on with the Lord, allowing Him to be my pathfinder.
    Blessings, Linda!

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    1. I like how you put that, Martha ... our pathfinder.

      Beautiful!

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  2. He leads. We follow. Oh, how I wish that could always be said of me! But I do long for it to be. Thanks for this beautiful reminder that the road less taken is often the best one.

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    1. I'm with you, Lisa ... I wish this was always true in my life!

      By His grace, He never gives up on us. What a patient Savior we love!

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  3. This is beautiful! I'm definitely still learning this- I'm far too ready to try to run ahead at times- but there definitely is peace when we can let go of control and trust God enough to follow his lead.

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  4. Well said, my friend! I think what you have shared is more likely to be discovered, accepted, and deeply enjoyed and sought as we get a little older and are far more aware of the traps that have been set for us to do the opposite. By then we have a lot of experience of having fallen prey to them more than a few times!

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    1. Yes, age does bring shades of wisdom. Most of us need to learn the hard way, sadly ...

      How gracious God is, how patient!

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  5. Linda,
    I think we are on the same wavelength -- or hearing the same whispers from God in our hearts! My post this week is about the freedom I'm feeling in releasing a dream I was holding on to and trusting God just for today. I think I need to figure out the future, know what God's saying to me, and the truth is that I really don't and need to just let him take the reins. Oh I love how you said it -- hand over the chauffeur's cap -- brilliant and articulate! LOVE these words -- they speak right to my heart, dear friend! xoxo

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    1. Can't wait to hear what you're learning, friend. Your words usually not only hit home for me, but propel me further. And that's a boost I always appreciate ...

      ;-}

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  6. Beautiful reassurances, Linda. Thank you. That sign scares me! I don't think I would have ventured down that road :) Visiting from #coffeeforyourheart.

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    1. ;-}

      If I had been driving we wouldn't have gone 10 feet down that sandy, rutted path!

      But I AM glad that you're here with us today. Welcome, Kelly ...

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  7. I loved this so much, Linda. "We lean into Him with huge sighs of relief, for our endless attempts to control and manipulate life's circumstances have proven to be exhausting and futile." Oh, how I feel this lately and better this place feels.
    Much love.
    xoxo

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    1. I'm always glad to find I'm not the only one, aren't you?! That's one of the benefits of journeying together, I guess.

      It's so cool to start the day with you, Beth ... I thought of you guys often on the 4th. Bless you, girl!

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  8. This is just absolutely perfect, Linda ... "His pre-chosen, all-wise timetable firmly in hand, the Author and Finisher of our faith is more than ready, willing, and able to safely guide us on the journey into the future that's known only to Him." I've read this post a few times already, and it continues to minister. Thank you, my friend!

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    1. That you've found these words to minister to your soul is such a great encouragement to me this morning, Lois. Thank you for that hug from afar. You've warmed my soul ...

      ;-}

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  9. The little girl, raises her blue eyes to him. Scared. What does he want? Can I trust him?

    With a smile of reassurance, whispers of peace and a twinkle in his eyes he extends his hand. Giving her a choice.

    She takes his hand as they walk down the path together. At the steep hills he pulls her up, on the way down he holds her close so she doesn't fall, and in the valley he carries her through it.

    Now the little girl cups his face in her hands, kisses him on the cheek with gratitude and then falls asleep in his arms. What she would have missed if she had not trusted him? In the calmness of her soul He dances over her with love.

    Linda, every day this story repeats its self and those who find freedom in Him find the truth. He is faithful in His faithfulness and trustworthy in His trustworthiness. The relief we seek is found in relinquishing all rights to self to take His hand.

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    1. You, my dear Christine, have a most stunning gift with words. May God continue to use you to impact others in powerfully beautiful ways ...

      Thanks for sharing your heart with us here.

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  10. Wish following was as easy as taking a picture. But alas...it isn't. Until it is...He leads and I follow.

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    1. Oh, I absolutely agree with you, Bill. This is not an easy 1-2-3 task, is it. Possible, yes. But only as we accept His grace ...

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  11. He leads, I follow. It really is that simple, and yet I make it hard. I so easily let my soul get out of rythmn with Him. I feel a break coming on :) Time to realign and quiet the incessant chatter. Time to lean in, listen to what He's telling me and gather up the courage to obey. Always thankful for the beauty and truth found in your words.

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    1. Yes, it's time for each of us to obey. You've said it well, Alecia.

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  12. We love to go and find the less traveled routes too! Oh the beauty, and yet the dangers too, of the paths less taken, but as you have written so beautifully, when we trust in Him, and let Him lead us, it is then we can truly enjoy the journey. Beautifully written my friend!

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  13. Linda,
    This is just the cool drink of living water my soul needed today. Thanks so much, sweet friend :-)

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    1. Indeed, Dolly. Our souls pant for those refreshing streams that He longs for us to accept ...

      We all come thirsty.

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  14. Leaning in to the peace and truth of these spirit-filled words. Thank you, friend. Blessings!

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    1. So grateful with you, friend, that He is our peace ...

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  15. Beautiful and true, dear Linda! Yes, God's hand is ever-present...

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  16. It is very difficult to hand over control. It is not in our human nature. God knows that, because He created us so.

    Imagine this. If we say "Thy will be done" and then it is His will that perhaps we suffer a long and painful terminal illness, where we have to rely on others to help us, disrupting their lives and livelyhood. Would we still, in all Faith, say "Thy will be done"? Some people might. Others would find it very difficult and perhaps resent losing control of their lives and putting others in great difficulties to look after them.

    Very difficult and emotional question, this. Handing over control. May God forgive us in our weakness and un-willingness.

    God bless.

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    1. It's easy to tap out a blog post, isn't it, Victor. You're so right, it's a whole other thing to live this hard calling out. The questions are many ... and I guess that's why this is called faith.

      Thankfully God still invites us to journey with Him and bring our fears and questions and stuff since they're a part of who we are.

      To leave all that baggage at His feet is no small task. Without His help, it just wouldn't happen.

      Thanks for enlarging this dialogue, friend ...

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    2. I'm sorry. I did not mean to criticise your post.

      I guess my prayer is more "Thy will be done as long as I am not hurt". And there's been hurt along the way. Perhaps my prayer should be "I believe, Lord; help my unbelief".

      God bless.

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    3. No, not at all! I never for a split second took your thoughtful musings as criticism. Instead I truly appreciate you taking this topic to the next level!

      This is hard stuff indeed. And I'm saying 'amen' with you on your prayer, 'I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.'

      Thanks for checking back in ...

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  17. This post just described much of my June, Linda. So you KNOW I'm resonating with what you're putting down and out there for us to feast upon! Thanks for your wise and inspiring words. We all need to hear them and take them to heart.

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    1. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you around again, Beth! Welcome, welcome back!

      ;-}

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  18. I think I can relate to Victor about this subject. For me at times letting go of control brought me to a place I did not necessarily want to go BUT it was not damaging (maybe painful) when God did the leading. My biggest struggle in letting go is hearing what God wants. If it is my choices or the enemies attack, I want to fight it out but if it is God's only solution, I find it hard to know what to follow.

    I know I am not faithless cause my faith in God's way is all I want. Trustingly following is a difficult process for me. God knows it takes me days, months, years to sort out some things. I fear it is my inadequancies that fog the way so I rest in the fact that God is patient.

    Thanks, Linda, for giving us this subject to think through.

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    1. Thank you for your well thought through observations, friend.

      Letting go of control, even to a loving God who has shown us deep faithfulness, can be a difficult thing ... most especially if we've had broken trust, betrayal, or poor role models here on earth.

      And yes, it can be a challenge to trust Someone we can't see, whose audible voice we can't hear, whose hands we can't touch.

      But you said this -->'I know I am not faithless cause my faith in God's way is all I want.'

      And that made me smile because I truly believe that is exactly what He desires from us.

      I appreciate you going there this morning, Carol. Thank you, thank you.

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  19. Gosh, I'm a new reader and this resonated so strongly that it made me cry. Thank you!

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    1. Oh Amy ... I'm so glad you found us. Welcome, welcome. I hope you're feeling right at home!

      I hope those are tears of relief and hope ...

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