Isaiah 24:1-27:13, 29:1-24
Isaiah 29:16, “You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me?’ Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing?’”
Control is defined as “the power to influence or direct people’s behavior or course of events.” What a tempting role to claim! It seems ideal to be the one who calls the shots and gets the glory. However, such desire for control is what produces so much conflict in families, relationships, the workplace, government, and so many other places in life. There seems to be this underlying belief that we could do the job better if we were in control.
This desire for control is nothing new. From the beginning, people have attempted to usurp God’s authority. We convince ourselves that this time is different; things will go much better if we take the wheel. Even as we read how this plan continuously failed for the Israelites, we continue on this path that only leads to disillusionment and destruction. It’s then, as we see in the verse above that we must humble ourselves and admit: We are clay! Without the ultimate Potter — God — our lives are shapeless with unformed potential and devoid of purpose.
When we allow our Creator to have His hand on the potter’s wheel of our lives, we’ll experience far less conflict and frustration. Does it make for a perfect life? No! But when we let God take control and follow His direction, we handle life’s hardships better. Therefore, we must trust that God always has a plan and purpose in place, even when things seem out of our control. The result — we gain peace of mind and ease of frustration; we can relax in His love as He molds us into great works of art!
Heavenly Father, I give it all to You. My attempt to control my life has not worked well. Who am I to tell You, my Creator, that I know better? I surrender all that I am to You, knowing that Your ways are higher than mine. Amen.