Give God the Pen
A new year. A new planner. A new journal, its blank pages just waiting to be filled with the future. An unknown future that spreads out before us. Some of us face it with anticipation, others with apprehension. Whether happy or difficult, more chapters in the book of our life will be written in 2022.
I wonder, though, how we are approaching these blank pages? Are we tightly gripping the pen of control, straining to write our story with our limited knowledge of the future? Or do we willingly relinquish control of our lives into the hands of the only One Who knows what is ahead?
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure (Isaiah 46:9-10).
You see, we can try to write our own story, but our knowledge of the future is so limited and imperfect. At best, we can only guess. But what we can do is look at the past, remembering the former things of old, remembering His faithfulness. And then, resting in the fact that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we can give the control of our future into His hands.
What does the practical outworking of this look like? It looks like much prayer, and it looks like obedience. God doesn’t force us to give Him our lives. He asks us to trust Him. And trust is evidenced by obedience, even when we do not understand. So, it looks like acceptance when a door slams closed in our face. It looks like asking God to work in that difficult relationship and choosing forgiveness instead of bitterness. For those of us who are single, it looks like choosing to trust God with the how and when of marriage. It looks like letting Him choose the what and where of our service for Him.
It doesn’t mean we never make a decision, drifting aimlessly along waiting for God to reveal His will. It simply means that we are faithful in what He’s already shown us. It means bringing every decision to the Lord and seek His will, doing our best to align that decision with His word.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
This is a promise. Will we take God at His word in this 2022, believing that He will guide us? We could not give a better Author the right to pen our story! He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things (Romans 8:32)? He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us–and truly, greater love hath no man than this! He may choose to author some difficult parts of our story, but it is only to draw us closer to Him and make us more like Him.
And what about the ending of our story? It’s beautiful. The Author of our faith is also the Finisher of our faith, and our faith will have an end when we see His face! And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:3-5).
So, dear friends, as we approach 2022, let’s give God the pen and trust Him to write our story. He will author a story more beautiful and perfect than we can imagine, a story that will bring honor to His holy name!
Never be afraid to entrust an unknown future
to a known God.
Corrie Ten Boom
