Control is a slippery customer. The more we try to grasp it, the more it slides through our fingers. And yet we still try to hold on to those things we perceive we have a sense of control over.
They can become a mirage of sorts, shapes in a mist made material in our eyes. Control is a longing stemming back to Eden. Our souls seek to cling to it, and in the process we soon discover how ethereal and insubstantial it really is.
Maybe we’ve had control wrested from us in the name of love, leading to a lasting distrust of feeling decidedly out of control. Because it initiates primal fears, makes us nervous to realise we’re not running the show, that deep down there’s some insufficiency within.
Perceived lack and insecurity are strong motivators for tenaciously hanging on to the thin threads of our thoughts, clinging to desires, people and possessions, as though they could all be taken away somehow, unless we hold on hard.
When we reach out to God instead, we begin to relinquish control of our lives—one small step at a time. We learn to rest in, rather than resisting, His work in us. We develop a relationship based on trust in Someone faithful beyond compare.
And we soon discover that the freedom and liberty we gain in Christ is more fulfilling and meaningful than living a controlling life where self-control is the hardest thing of all to achieve.
Control
I need to breathe, because I feel out of control
though it’s a human illusion to have complete
ownership over it all. How easily we
forget how our very breath is a gift from God
and every step we take or decision we make
fits within his eternal plan. And His prescience
precedes our existence, like his purpose
outlasts our earthly lives, our desire to build
empires, to dream, to daily survive and thrive
So I still my soul, as life spins me sideways
I seek to surrender these cares and concerns
these hoped for outcomes—release them all
into God’s safe hands. I choose to trust, just
because we can wear ourselves out on the wheel
or turn toward the One who’s moulding you and me
We’re lumps of clay being shaped by a gentle
Potter’s hands. We’re all potential works of art
to grace this world with our Maker’s mark
We’ve been given freedom to slip away
from his grasp, or yield to a touch that
only wants the best for us. There’s nothing
keeping us stuck—apart from a willingness
to become all we can be in the hands of Love
©joylenton2017
I’m sharing these free-flowing, imperfect poetic #FMF thoughts with fellow wordsmith friends at Kate Motaung’s place, where this week’s prompt is ‘control’. You can read the amazingly diverse posts being shared and come join us here.
Poetry Joy 
I’m so glad to be your FMF neighbor this week. I agree that we feel inadequate, like we are lacking when we don’t have control. Thank you for sharing such beautiful words.
Hi Natasha, welcome to Poetry Joy! Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a lovely comment. Have a blessed weekend. 🙂
“We learn to rest in, rather than resisting, His work in us.” Amen! How much better when we learn to rest. I’m reading the book Rhythms of Rest by Shelly Miller, and it is becoming a balm, drawing me back to Sabbath rest. Your poetic words are always so beautiful and full of meaning, dear Joy. Thank you so much for sharing them and making our world better.
I’ve noticed that many of the #FMF posts are about surrendering control to God, but the interesting thing is the many diverse ways there are of voicing that message! So many beautiful thoughts pointing us to God in their unique, beautiful ways.
Many blessings to you, dear poet/sister/friend! xoxo
Gayl, I was honoured and privileged to be in the launch team for ‘Rhythms of Rest’ and can highly recommend it. Shelly Miller’s book is definitely a balm for weary souls and it sounds like you’re reading it just when you need to. I intend to revisit it once I have a bit less to read.
Thank you so much for your kind compliment! I’m always my own worst critic, often seeing faults, flaws and failings where none exists. Yet I’m learning to sit on my perfectionist tendencies and simply share my words as God indicates it’s good to do so. If in the process they bless and encourage others then it’s a bonus I hope and pray for but don’t necessarily expect. I loved your take on things this week, sweet poet/sister/friend! xoxo
Dear Joy, This is speaking to me so much this weekend:
“I choose to trust, just
because we can wear ourselves out on the wheel
or turn toward the One who’s moulding you and me”
and then to this thought also:
“We’ve been given freedom to slip away
from his grasp, or yield to a touch that
only wants the best for us”
Wow, how often I can look back & see that some of my own weariness came from wearing myself out on His wheel! What a mystery to me that He gives us the freedom to slip away, all the while knowing that in the yielding we would find His best for us. May I become even more yielded to HIS working–no one else’s, not even my own. He is the Love holding me together. I love how the Lord is giving you so much creative expression in this season, my Dear Friend! Even in the weariness and “sideways” times of your life, He is bringing such blessings to share. Love & Hugs! xo
Dear Bettie, when we reflect on the complete freedom God gives us to accept or reject His hand on our lives, yet He also chases us with such fervent Hound of heaven love, it’s truly beyond our comprehension! I so agree with your words here: ” He is the Love holding me together”, and I firmly believe that the more we can perceive our brokenness and need to become whole, the more we are enabled to see just Who is holding us together – body and soul. Our very weakness is an entry point for grace and our yielding makes it easier to receive. I’m aware that these words don’t come to me lightly, even if they do flow remarkably easily. it’s our willingness to be still and listen that equips us to hear better, isn’t it? Even if that stillness is mostly prompted by having chronic illness! The gift of creative expression is one I hold dear as treasure for my heart and offering to share. Love and hugs to you too! xo ❤
Beautiful poem! So much THIS: “When we reach out to God instead, we begin to relinquish control of our lives—one small step at a time. We learn to rest in, rather than resisting, His work in us. We develop a relationship based on trust in Someone faithful beyond compare.”
Thank you, Tara. I’m grateful to have had some words coming today so I could participate in FMF with you! Bless you for finding just the right ones that were meant for you. xo 😊
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
Powerful, Joy! Especially love this line: only wants the best for us. There’s nothing
keeping us stuck—apart from a willingness
to become all we can be in the hands of Love
Michael, you never cease to amaze me with your kind encouragement and appreciation for the words God gives me to share! May your readers be blessed as they peruse them too. Blessings of rest to you, my friend. 🙂
Joy, I’m another Joy from FMF! I’ve always been known by my middle name, but — a long story you can find on my blog. Your word just jumped out at me. “I need to breathe because I feel out of control.” Good advice for all kinds of situations.
Hello Joy, it’s lovely to meet you! I popped over to read your story. How intriguing! I love the theme of your blog. Thank you for visiting and sharing what spoke to you. Bless you, friend. 🙂
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