Disclaimer: This post was written some time in 2014. Although I don’t exactly remember writing it, its structure suggests that I jotted down my thoughts at the time with the intention of revisiting and fleshing it out. I never did. Yet, I’m sharing this because after running across it today, it spoke to me. I hope it also speaks to you. It’s only been lightly edited and some lines of thought may seem incomplete, but that’s okay. I’m striving for impact not perfection.  Be blessed.

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While running the other day, the song, “God is in Control” by James Hall came on my Pandora station (And, before you ask, Yes! I listen to gospel/praise break music when I jog – the Ricky Dillard Pandora station to be exact. Tell me that this song doesn’t make you want to run.)

When the song came on, I felt convicted. Not because I don’t know or believe that God is in control but rather because of the way that I’d been thinking about the idea of God being in control – one that positioned God as the sole producer and me, as solely the consumer. It was a “Sit and Get” relationship that resulted in passivity on my best days and inaction on my worst days towards my goals. And still, I wondered why I had only a modicum of success manifesting God’s desires for my life.

This is what dropped in my heart while listening to the song:  God doesn’t need you to do anything, but He requires you to do something.

Without a doubt, God still works miracles. He still has the ability to speak non-existent things into existence. Yet, he desires for you to participate in the sacrifice. God did not need the fish and bread to feed the thousands, but he asked for it. Neither did he need anyone to bring him water to turn to wine, but he asked that they bring it. Why? To show us that whatever we offer to God is enough. God has the power to multiply our material goods, gifts and talents to the highest proportions.

I often feel that part of my purpose is to speak to large groups of youth about their divine purpose and passions. Yet, I hate public speaking. I often get mealy-mouthed and lose my train of thought when anxiety creeps in. The other day, I ran across this scripture, which resonated with me.

¹⁰ But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” ¹¹ Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”  Exodus 4:10-12

We sow seeds, but God gives the increase. We do what we can, God controls the outcome. God being in control doesn’t mean that we have no responsibility or will not be put in uncomfortable situations. Rather, it means that after we have done all that we can, God can be trusted to do the rest.