Control Freak

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. 

Proverbs 16:33

How many of us like to be in control? How often do we take care of our problems or decisions to be made all on our own?

I have always thought of myself as an easy-going person. I usually like to just go-with-the-flow. I’m not sure whether or not my husband would agree with that statement after a conversation like this one:  Hubby: “Where do you want to eat?” Me:  “Anywhere.” Hubby:  “How about Mexican?” Me:  “No.” Hubby:  “Italian?” Me:  “No – I feel like BBQ.”

I really didn’t think I was too much of a control freak until I was not the one making the decisions about something I really cared about.  There was nothing I could do about it except for worry or pray. So I opted for prayer – most of the time.

One morning in my reading the Lord showed me Proverbs 16:33. In those days, the lot was the common method for determining God’s will. Many important decisions were made in this way, such as the division of the Promised Land (Joshua 14:2) and the selection of the first king for the nation (I Samuel 10).    

To me, the most important part of the verse is not how God chooses to reveal His plan, it is that the decision belongs to the Lord. In the same way, we have the Holy Spirit living in us to whisper God’s truth in our lives. It’s still His decision – in His time.

While I wait, I can trust that though I cannot control the situation, the decision is His and His alone. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21).

I can rest in the fact that no matter who is making the decisions in this realm, God’s purpose will win out. No matter what. Neither does it matter whether or not the decision is the one I was hoping for.  It’s all about Him, not me.

So, now I cast the issue into the hands of the Lord, and I ask for His peace regardless of which direction it takes. God’s purpose prevails every time.

Julie Smith