Here Is The Cold Truth

“It’s either my way, or the highway, baby” -every person who thinks their way is the best way.

For the most part I am considered an independent person.  I work my own schedule and plan out my weeks in advance.  I go about my life leaning on my will.  If I had to guess, I bet many of you do the same.  We live in a world where we are pushed to be our own person and get out there to make something of ourselves.  We are told to set goals, make plans, and shoot for our dreams.  We are told to go after our heart’s desire.

Well, I had to burst my own bubble a few times, and now I am going to burst yours.

It’s not about your will.  It’s not even about you!

Sadly, my friends, the world does not revolve around you.

I heard a song on the radio a few months ago and I finally stopped and allowed myself to listen to the lyrics in order to absorb their meaning.

“Thy Will” by Hillary Scott and the Scott Family stopped me in my tracks.  Now, it is my go-to song when I am having a bad day and cannot seem to get a grasp on what is going on in my life.  I can plan all I want, but if I am not living His Will, then there is no point.

I’m so confused
I know I heard You loud and clear
So, I followed through
Somehow I ended up here
I don’t wanna think
I may never understand
That my broken heart is a part of Your plan
When I try to pray
All I’ve got is hurt and these four words

God and I like to talk while I am in the car.  Sometimes the words coming out of my mouth make no sense because they are hidden behind sobs.  I cry when I get mad too.  When I can’t picture the future or understand why things have happened, I get confused and frustrated.  I know I’m not to question God, but being human makes me ask why. 

I ask Him why He led me down this path.  I ask Him why friends left my life.  I ask Him why things didn’t work out for me.  I ask Him why I am an English major.  I ask Him why I am not good enough.

Want to know His response?

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done

When something is bothering me, I like to shut myself away in my room.  I prefer to handle things on my own and I do not like to ask for help.  I used to think I could handle anything.  I used to think that I only should pray to God about others.

I didn’t think I was worthy to ask for His help in my own life.  I used to think I could handle my own issues with no one’s help.  Boy, was I wrong about that.

I know You’re good
But this don’t feel good right now
And I know You think
Of things I could never think about
It’s hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all Your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that You’re God
And I am not
So

God does not always give us clear answers.  Sometimes we get simple four little words.  Sometimes we get silence.  Although we may not understand at the time, it doesn’t mean that God isn’t listening to us.  He is, but if we aren’t actively reading His word and talking to Him, then we will never hear the response He gives us in time.

Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will

I know You see me
I know You hear me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Goodness You have in store

The point is that God sees you struggling.  He hears your cries.  You will come out on the other side, and all you have to do is trust Him and let Him do His thing.  He is God, you are not.  It’s not about your plan, or my plan.  It’s His will and not ours.

Things will not go the way you planned them all the time.  When God sees that your plans are about to wreck you, He will sink them.  Down the road you may see that it was for the better, but sometimes you won’t get answers to everything.

I know You see me

I know You hear me, Lord

I’m still waiting on answers to some questions.  One of the most important things I have learned this past year is that it’s okay to not know what the next step is.  It’s okay to trust His will and not bank on my own plans all the time.  Life cannot be planned, but it does help knowing that there is someone who knows how it will all pan out.  His name is Almighty God.

The truth is that He is in control, and you are not.  That should take the pressure off of us all.