Life happens to us and we remain responsible with how we steward the time and place given to us. We cannot control life and this is no excuse for laziness. We must learn to hold both of these realities at the same time – letting go without giving up.
To be sure, despite our best-made plans, kids get sick, vehicles need repair, setbacks happen at work, and the like. While frustrating, these challenges are also a reminder of how much of life is outside of our control. We did nothing wrong to cause them; they’re simply part of life in this world. As such, we must remember to be kind to ourselves and others and not allow bitterness to take root in our hearts, as if these hardships could’ve been avoided with more effort and planning.
Of course, yielding control doesn’t mean we become passive. We are called to faithful stewardship. And problems will persist, for instance, when we don’t take care of our health, our vehicles, or our work ethic leaves a lot to be desired. Many problems we face can be resolved by a sustained effort to care for all that God has entrusted to us. When we don’t give up we can steadily move toward better.
Faith challenges us to hold both of these realities simultaneously. On the one hand, we live by faith by trusting God with the details and outcomes of our life. We’re free from the burden of having to figure everything out ourselves. Many things in this life will happen outside of our control but we trust the one who remains ultimately in control. At the same time, we live by faith by proactively stewarding the time, place, and things God has given to us. We’re bold and courageous, or at least willing to put our efforts in the bank to gain interest. But, whatever it looks like, our faith is active and does not merely idly wait on God.
In the end, life won’t always obey your plans, and this is okay. Learn to surrender control while continuing to work diligently. This is the life of faith.
Photo by Shreyash Amriwala on Unsplash
