What will happen if I’m not there? Who will hug people I love when they’re sad? Who will make sure they’re okay? Who will they call when they can’t call me? No one can be physically present in every situation. Life changes, friends move, sickness plagues, family leaves. There’s no way to make sure that everyone we love is always okay. Burdens of other peoples’ wellbeing are carried to a point of physical destruction. We try to control everything, we have ideas of how life should go, of what is best for ourselves and others.
But that’s not our job.
Thank God that’s not our job. It’s not humanly possible to carry these burdens for others. Key word, humanly. Life is hard. Worries of pain, suffering, poverty, cancer, addictions, are things constantly on our minds. But, God calls us to let go and leave these worries at His feet and trust Him. Let go of the people we love, let go of people we meet, let go of how life is “supposed” to go, and entrust everything fully to God.
This trust is amplified through the story of Abraham. Abraham and his wife Sarah desperately wanted a son, but in their old age it just wasn’t possible. Abraham trusted God when He said He would give them a son, and He gave them Isaac. Abraham’s trust was tested when God spoke in Genesis 2:2, “Then God said, Take your son, your only son, whom you love-Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you”. Abraham obeyed and as he was about to sacrifice his son he heard the voice of the Lord again, “Do not lay a hand on the boy, do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (v. 12).
Abraham trusted his only son’s wellbeing to God. He let go of the life he was promised because he trusted that God had a plan. He knew that no matter how challenging it may be, God’s plan would be better than his own. Because Abraham trusted God fully, he was blessed immensely. The reward for his crazy faith and trust was so much greater.
No matter where we are in life, God has our most cherished people in his peaceful embrace. Humans fail. But the love and protection of God endures every hardship. He will show himself to those we love in beautiful ways of caring for them and seeing them through the tough moments. He will take our loved ones into His hands and remind them in all situations that He’s got them. That truth brings freedom to let go of worries and know that no matter where we are, the ones closest to us are taken care of and their best interests are His priority. They will survive without us holding them up. The burden of overseeing every one of life’s situations is removed. His timing, His plan, and His commitment to love will reign. Deciding to relinquish control and submit to His will is beyond difficult, but He will never lead us astray.
We can’t do everything. Our world won’t be shattered without us trying to hold it together. Stop trying to hold it all, and fully surrender to the plan God has already laid out.
Jeremiah 29:11
“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.”
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
