I’ve been captured by Pete Wilson’s new book, Plan B. So much so that I based my teaching on it the last three weeks.
Have you read it? If not, you should. I wrote a review of it on my other blog here.
Life goes awry. Dreams shatter. People fail us. Expectations go unmet. Someone dies.
Sometimes stuff happens because of our own bad choices. Sometimes because others made bad choices. Sometimes a combination of both. And sometimes–just because.
And all we can control then is our response.
Away from God. Into sleep or food or busyness or television or overeating or some kind of addiction. Or into the arms of the wrong people.
Or toward God. Fling ourselves straight into His arms.
We can grab the reins.
Try to take control. Make a plan. Manipulate. Try harder. Help God out.
Or we can give up control. Sit in His lap.
And wait.
Yes, wait. And rest. And trust His timing.
We can ride it out.
Hang on tight to the “stuff.” Stuff it. Wallow in disappointment. Let bitterness take root and give birth to depression and anger.
Or we can let it go. Confess our failure. Accept the consequences. Forgive. Others. Ourselves. Surrender to God’s plan.
We can let it be.
Like Mary. “Let it be done to me according to what you have said.” (Luke 1:38 – Amplified)
Not my will but Yours.
Not my plan or my dream or my expectations.
Because everything that comes to us is either by God’s hand or is filtered through His fingers. To conform us. To change us into His image.
And when life seems out of control, it really isn’t. But God IS. In all. Over all.
Pete says, “When life doesn’t turn out the way you thought it was going to turn out, you may think you’re losing control. But the truth is, you never had control in the first place.”
He says, “The greatest of all illusions is the illusion of control.”
God takes all of our failures, all of our twisted and broken plans and dreams, and weaves them into His beautiful and perfect plan.
I played the Beatles’ song, “Let It Be” for my class yesterday. I didn’t realize that Paul McCartney wrote that song during a stressful time in his own life. Based on a dream he had that his mother visited him and told him that everything was going to be okay–to “let it be.” You see, his mother’s name was Mary. She apparently was a nurse, a midwife, and she died suddenly from breast cancer when Paul was only 14.
A Plan B.
He sang the song at his wife Linda’s funeral. And again at a 911 benefit. He was in a plane on the runway at JFK that day and watched the towers burn and crumble.
There’s hope in the darkness. Hope in the brokenness. Hope when everything in life goes up in flames or comes crashing down.
God’s in control.
Let it be.
Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King
What a beautiful post!
Really beautiful, Sandra. I'm not great at letting it be. Getting better…but still far from great. My mantra these days is "Trust in God. Trust also in me." I keep repeating it again and again.
"God takes all of our failures, all of our twisted and broken plans and dreams, and weaves them into His beautiful and perfect plan."
I really want to believe that…I really do…Thanks for your beautiful words.
I simply have GOT to get my hands on this book. I've heard so much about it!
Beautiful post!
Wonderful post, Snady.
I could literally visualize this phrase "Because everything that comes to us is either by God's hand or is filtered through His fingers." And of course always need to be reminded that all we go through is "To conform us. To change us into His image."
Recently I won a copy of Plan B. I have not finished reading it yet but already it has been life changing.
@Pete: Thanks! So blessed to have you visit. Your book is touching a LOT of people.
@Michelle: Learning to let go takes a lot of time and practice. I've learned that hanging on is exhausting. And I've had a lot of practice at that, too!
@Jeff: I believe it. I see it happening. Not complete yet, but it's coming together. And there are some really ugly strands!
@Duane: Yes, you've GOT to get it. I'm getting several for gifts. Pete expressed so well what I've felt and what I've lived. If you want a real treat, go watch/hear him preach.
http://www.crosspoint.tv/nashville/media/
Living a broken dream for 40+ years … still haven't perfected it … perhaps this is the book I need!
{I'm having major problems with comments, too … checked the help section and it sounds like an ongoing problem}
@Melinda: You are definitely living a Plan B, my friend. And you are an inspiration to me.
@Susan: Don't think we ever "perfect" it. So glad that He is perfect and loves us perfectly.
Even though I have posted on a similar subject several times in the last few weeks, I really needed this reminder today. I am glad I stopped by.
Tricia: I'm glad you did, too. I need to often remind myself. 😉
Pete's book is fantastic, and this post was more fantastic. Love your words, Sandra.
Awww, Billy. You're such an encourager!
I'm going to have to get this book. Have a great weekend!
Wylie
Enjoy, Wylie! Well, that doesn't seem like the right word. It's deep and light. And you'll laugh and cry. Oh yeah, have tissues.
I'm always – and I do mean always – having to say out loud, "Just let it go. Jesus, please take this."
A moment-by-moment choice. I like the idea of verbalizing aloud.
It sounds like a book I should read. Too often I try to run or grab the reins. Only clinging to God works in the end. His power is so much greater than mine.
Many blessings,
Lyn
Why is that so hard to learn and remember? We'd save so much energy!
So difficult to learn this! But it is so freeing, isn't it?
Thanks for visiting my blog! I enjoy yours as well! Hope to stay in touch.