The Breaking Point

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."- Proverbs 16:9

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Here I am again, thinking that I can control what happens in my life- thinking that I'm the pilot of the plane, thinking that I'm the driver of the bus. How big is my Jesus? He must not be very big if I still think that I have control. Seriously Carmen, who do you think you are? You are not God, only a mere human being. God is God. Jesus is supreme. Jesus is not comparable to any other human, because he is God in the flesh. He is not comparable to any other great human being that walked this earth- not Martin Luther, Marin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, or Mother Teresa... not Bill Gates, Oprah, or Abraham Lincoln. Maybe these people are great in some people's opinions, and I would have to agree at least for some, but they did not change the world. Jesus, image of God, came, walked the earth, showed us how to live, and died a humble death on a cross- He changed the world! He is the greatest king that walked this earth and is still reigning in Heaven and in the hearts of those who believe in him. Yet, why is it so hard for me to put my life in his hands? My doubt, insecurity, and anxieties are a constant struggle that I will deal with every day of my life. I have to constantly throw my hands up and say, "Take it from me! You are a big Jesus who conquered death itself, surely you are more than big enough to carry my anxiety. Take these worries from me so that I can have full trust and let you guide my steps."

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"We all go through times when we feel alone or afraid, moments when the circumstances we're in pierce us with doubt and uncertainty. Those times call for faith on our part. Faith wouldn't be faith without having to trust what is unseen. Sometimes it's easier to put our trust in what is seen, what is tangible. But God wants us to put one foot in front of the other and just step out in faith." ('God Help Me'- PURE, by Rebecca St. James) I think of the tattoo I saw on the feet of a girl I work with. On one foot it says, 'Walk by Faith' and on the other, 'Not by Sight.' What a great constant reminder to look at her feet and see that great message that seems so easy to say, but so difficult to live out.

God did not say life would be easy, in fact he warned us of hardship, persecution, and trials, but these things help us grow in our faith and broaden our view of Jesus and how big he actually is.

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Although I've never seen the movie or read the book, I really like how Pastor Smith put in yesterday during his first sermon at New City. He quoted from 'Prince Caspian', by C.S. Lewis... where Lucy looks at Aslan for the first time in a while and says, "Aslan, you are so much bigger than you were!' and Aslan says back, "That is because you are much older." As we walk in the faith, our view of Jesus should get bigger- what He has done for us and can do for us should be unlimited. We should see that he is the Ultimate, he is the Supreme! Nothing on earth or in the spiritual realms is comparable. NOTHING! Isn't it such a relief to know that God is greater, more powerful than the devil!? Isn't it an awesome feeling that our Jesus is greater than any demon that could ever taunt us? Nothing can separate us from him. NOTHING. It is so comforting to know that my Jesus reigns Supreme... that he can win any battle, no matter what I am fighting.

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"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul ,have become a servant." - Colossians 1:15-23

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God made the world and everything in it, and it was Good. He did not need help from anyone, no human being... not me or you or any of those great inspirational people I listed above. So what makes me think that he needs my help flying the plane or driving the bus. I am not the co-pilot, I am not the personal GPS sitting in the passenger seat. I am riding in the cabin of the plane or in the back of the bus... I have no control over where I am going, no control over the turbulence or the bumps in the road. I have no control over whether or not my flight is going to be delayed or not. I have no control over the hills or the valleys, or where to turn and where to stop. I am a mere passenger on a great adventure where the God of the universe, Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth is deciding what the best journey is for me... and I just have to trust. So as I reach my breaking point, I rest assured that God won't let me break, if I just trust in him.

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"A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?" Proverbs 20:24

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"The Lord Almighty has sworn, "Surely as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand." - Isaiah 14:24

"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for a man to direct his steps." - Jeremiah 10:23