Christ in Control
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
On the wall in my office, you will find this verse, handwritten by my granddaughter Sawyer. When she was in first grade, one of the activities in Sunday morning Bible study was to write out this scripture.
It has been on my wall to this day because it is such a reminder for me. A reminder to have hope. A reminder for my hope to be found in Christ alone. And a reminder that without Jesus, my life will always be out of control.
That last sentence is a tough one for me to swallow. I want to be the hero of my own story. I want to ride in and save the day... yet the truth of scripture is that without Christ, my life is out of control, and I am subject to the habits, patterns and hurts that have shaped me into someone less than who Christ made me to be. I am broken.
I spent years trying to control my kids, my grandkids, people at work, situations and so much of what happened inside of my home. I believed it was possible, yet my attempt to control always came up short. Eventually I learned that this desire for control, in me, was a type of self-worship.
This is where my pain would begin because I could never be the hero. I could never be good enough, in control, as elegant as I wished. I was always.... broken.
I came to learn that this brokenness can drive me closer and closer to Christ, and the faith that is so instrumental in my salvation can become so much more. “Faith is believing that God can restore your life even when your mind and emotions may be telling you something completely different.”
As I hope for restoration and healing, I can have faith that God will fully restore me. He can bring me back to a joyful and peace-filled life. Because that is who He is. That is what He does.
God heals His children. He comforts us when we feel most broken. He protects us in the very shadow of His wing. He restores our soul with the silence and quiet that restores our faith.
“O Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” Psalm 131:3 May your faith always be found in Christ alone. - Caroline Poe, Minister of Pastoral Care and Discipleship