Hey friend,

I woke up at 2am yesterday morning and drove 8 hours to spend the day learning from some of the smartest ministry minds in the world. It was an incredible day, and I'm really grateful for the opportunity. I'm also a little tired. 😂

Which actually feels pretty fitting for what I've been thinking about this week.

I preached about this Sunday: we often think survival comes from control, but in reality, survival comes from surrender.

When life gets uncertain, our instinct is to tighten our grip. We want to know what's coming, have a plan, fix the problem, and control the outcome. We tell ourselves, If I can just get everything under control, I'll be okay.

But what if that's backwards?

What if we don't survive by holding tighter? What if we survive by letting go?

Throughout the story of Elisha, God's people continually find themselves in situations they can't control. The resources aren't enough. The circumstances don't make sense. The outcome isn't obvious. And yet, God is still present and still faithful.

That's the tension of faith. We want certainty, but God often asks for trust.

Surrender isn't giving up. Surrender is giving God what we were never meant to control in the first place.

Maybe there's something you've been carrying this week that you've been desperately trying to manage. A relationship. Your future. Your finances. Your family. A decision. Something you're afraid might happen.

You don't have to stop caring about it. You don't have to pretend it doesn't matter. But you can stop pretending that everything depends on you.

Control says, "Everything depends on me."

Surrender says, "God, I trust You."

And sometimes the most faith-filled thing we can pray is simply, "Jesus, this is Yours."

Because God is better at being God than we are.

Weekly Resources

When Life Doesn't Go As Planned Elisha | Week 2 In 2 Kings 3, three kings find themselves in a desperate situation. In Mark 6, the disciples are faced with a crowd they can't possibly feed. Different circumstances, same invitation: come to God, listen to God, and trust God. Available on Youtube

Darryl Strawberry: ‘I Was Already Free Because of God’s Love’ Christianity Today Read Here

So this week, I'm trying to remember this:

I don't need to control everything to be okay.
I need to trust the One who is in control.

Whatever you're carrying today, maybe it's time to open your hands and give it back to God.

Not because it doesn't matter.​
But because He does.

Praying,
Ryan