Who is in control?

You can plan. You can prepare. You can do so much to insure that which you are called to do really happens. But in the end you have no control over a lot of things. That is becoming quite clear this weekend.

Snow is pelting the Northeast and shutting down school activities, community programs and threatening to close many churches. I've already spoken to a couple of colleagues who have made the decision to cancel services. A few minutes ago I heard that two afternoon activities were canceled as well.

So much work goes into planning a service or a program. Many of us look forward to them. In the end we have to come to terms with the fact that we have to lewt go of things sometimes.

That's true in so many areas of life. We are under the illusion that we are in charge. Yet when illness comes, when an accident happens, when we lose our job, when our children grow up and leave home we realize it isn't true. It's then that we understand just how important it is to have faith and trust God. For God is the one who fills the gap between what we have planned and what actually happens.

Our verse of the week at church is from Jeremiah 29: 11. It says, "I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

Jeremiah knew something about disappointment and plans that failed to materialize and yet he gives us this great verse of encouragement as a promise from God. So take heart! When things seem out of your control, look to God and he will see you through.

Cal