My Way or God's Way?

I have a confession to make. I’m very particular about how my dishwasher gets loaded. It feels so silly to say it out loud. But I’m telling you, if bowls, glasses, and plates don’t get put in a certain way, I don’t feel like they get properly cleaned.

My husband knows I feel this way. And whether or not he agrees with me, he does his best to abide by my dishwasher protocols.

Sometimes he’ll ask me, “Where do you want this glass to go?”

“Wherever you think it fits best,” I usually respond. And at the time, I really mean it. But if I’m in the kitchen alone, sometimes I can’t help but sneak a peek and see if I think there’s a better place for the glass to go. Sometimes I leave it, sometimes I move it, and sometimes I end up spending way too much time rearranging the entire dishwasher trying to find the perfect place for everything.

Have you ever done this with God? Just like with my dishwasher, there are times in my life when I feel like only I know best. I find that I often tell others that I trust God to work out His sovereign will over a situation, and then I end up trying to rework things to be how I prefer them. I say that I know that God has control over my life, and then I end up trying to wrestle it away and take back control for myself.

Yesterday, after spending ten minutes moving and rearranging my dishwasher, I realized that I had ended up putting everything back where it had been when I started. This is exactly what happens when I try and take control away from God. I waste time and energy moving pieces around that are ultimately going to fall into place according to God’s will. As we are reminded in Proverbs 16:9 (ESV):

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Matthew chapter 6, He started His prayer out like this:

“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)

He prayed a similar prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane:

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

Jesus consistently prayed for the Lord’s will to be done! What a humbling example Christ has set for us.

When I pray according to Jesus’ example, “Your will be done,” I am surrendering my control to the Lord. I am setting aside my pride and my “I know best” attitude. Instead, I am acknowledging that God’s will is sovereign and that I value His goodness and faithfulness over my own plans and desires.

So, when we are struggling to submit to the Lord’s plans because we so badly want control over a situation, let us humbly come before our Sovereign Father with a heart of surrender and follow Christ’s example by praying:

“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.