Do You Manage or Does He?

I was on my way to work today, talking on the phone with some friends and previous co-workers in Bloomington, when my husband beeped in. I hadn't talked to this particular friend in a great while, so - I hate to say I did this, but I did - I ignored his call. It wasn't but a minute later and he beeped in again. He never does that unless it's important, so I said goodbye to my friend and answered his call.

His first words to me were: "I got the job!" I was speechless. This was an answer to prayers. I was floored, excited, and teary-eyed all at the same time. (Which makes me wonder: why are we so shocked when God answers our prayers?)

Our financial status has been anything but good lately. I had been completely stressed out, sick to my stomach, worrying day and night, not sleeping for the past week or so. Friday night on my way home from CCS, where I had been helping set up for a fund raiser for Bible Quizzing the next day, I began to pray. I realized that I was not in control. No amount of worrying or thinking or fretting was going to change the current situation. Despite the fact that the situation we were in was completely of our own volition, we needed God's divine intervention. I realized there was nothing I or Brad could do. I did the almost impossible for me: I gave it to Him. I surrendered the situation. I relenquished control.

Oh, the unexplainable peace I felt! Oh, the load that was lifted. It was amazing!

Every day on my way home, I drive past a sign in front of a church and for the past 3 or 4 weeks, the sign has read: "Do you manage or does He?"

So I leave you with this thought: Do you manage your life - your finances, decisions - or does He?