Empty My Hands

No matter how hard I try, I always feel like I have to be a planner.  I want to plan every detail of every day so that things happen perfectly.  But do they ever?

I consistently forget that God has all the plans - and, unlike mine, His are perfect!  No matter how much I organize and think and decide . . . things will never be exactly what I expect.  But, they will always be the way that God intends them to be.  He always intends great things for us when we let Him work in our lives. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Lately, I have been run down by my thoughts that tell me how I want things to go.  I have my own plans and visions for the future and I get so caught up in what I want to happen.  Why can't I give God the room to control what is going to happen?

Over the past few days, I did manage to let God take over.  I went on a trip with some friends to Lake Placid, New York.  I didn't pick the location, the hotel, the schedule - I didn't plan any of it!  I have to admit that I was nervous heading on a road trip without a plan; but, as always, God is faithful!
We booked an amazing hotel suite, the weather was perfect, the food was delicious, and I survived a 14 mile hike!  I would not have been able to have such an amazing experience if I had not allowed God the room to work. 

As my husband and I go through life's transitions that are ahead of us, I know that we both need to give God the control.  Our plans are futile compared to His. 

This song has been playing on a CD in my car for about a month; but I didn't fully understand the meaning of this song until this past week!  It is all about giving up our own desires and plans and expectations for God's perfect plans and power.  As hard as it is to give these things over to God, the rewards are incredible and indescribable.  God is great!

Empty My Hands by Tenth Avenue North   I've got voices in my head and they are so strong.  And I'm getting sick of this. Oh, Lord how long will I be haunted by the fear that I believe?  My hands like locks on cages of these dreams I can't set free.  But if I let these dreams die, if I lay down all my wounded pride, if I let these dreams die, will I find that letting go lets me come alive?  So empty my hands; fill up my heart; capture my mind with You.  These voices speak instead and what's right is wrong.  And I'm giving into them.  Please, Lord, how long will I be held captive by the lies that I believe?  My heart's in constant chaos and it keeps me so deceived.  But if I let these dreams die, if I could just lay down my dark desire, if I let these dreams die, will I find You brought me back to life?  My mind is like a building burning down.  I need Your grace to keep me, keep me from the ground.  And my heart is just a prisoner of war - a slave to what it wants and to what I'm fighting for.