Loosen Your Grip
Mercy sakes, this is somethin’ else, friend! You come and slip right on into this ol’ front porch circle like you’re joinin’ a neighborly story swap under a big ol’ shade tree. Pull up one of them ol’ chairs over there that creaks just enough to be remindin’ you it’s heard more tales than a lil’ ol’ barn cat that’s done lived through twelve summers. If you could hear that feisty lil’ ol’ chipmunk over yonder fussin’ at a box turtle that keeps hoggin’ the best sun patch, or smell that pot of apple butter simmerin’ slow on the stove, you’d know you’ve stepped right into a place where your heart can settle down and breathe easy. Now, let’s chew on a truth that’s steadier than an ol’ weathered fence post standin’ strong through at least a hundred Texas storms.
Luke 5:4-11 tells us how Jesus showed Peter just how little control he had and how much control Jesus truly holds. And tucked right beside it is Psalm 37:7 says, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” These two verses fit together real good like two pinecones rollin’ down the same hillside, each one remindin’ us that peace comes from trust, not control. And right along with them is Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails,” which sho’-nuff’ reminds us that God’s steady hand is stronger than our tight grip. Then, there’s Isaiah 26:3 tells us, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee,” slidin’ in gentle as a whisper, remindin’ us that calm comes from trustin’ Him, not from controllin’ everything ourselves.
Friend, control sho’-nuff’ does like to pretend it’s our best friend. We try real hard to control our kids, our money, our schedules, our circumstances, and when they don’t behave the way we want, our nerves get plum rattled like an ol’ chicken hen squawkin’ at a sly fox that just trotted way too close. We think if we can just tighten our grip, everything will settle down. But Jesus showed Peter somethin’ mighty important. Peter had fished all night and caught nothin’. He knew that lake like a lil’ ol’ squirrel knows every hidin’ spot up in an oak tree. But when Jesus said to lower the nets, Peter did it, even though he didn’t really understand. And the catch was so big it nearly sank the boats.
That’s what happens when we loosen our grip and trust the One who actually knowssho’-nuff’ what He is doin’. Peter felt ashamed at first. He thought he wasn’t worthy. But Jesus didn’t scold him. He invited him. “Don’t be afraid.” And then He called Peter to follow Him. Micah 6:8 tells us what God really wants from us: “Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with Him.” Not control. Not perfection. Just trust.
Friend, God’s calm comes when we stop tryin’ to steer every detail and downright start listenin’ for His voice. He knows how to fill empty nets. He knows how to steady shaky hearts. He sho’-nuff’ knows how to guide us when we feel lost in the fog.
Father, teach us to trust You more than our own plans. Help us loosen our grip on control and tighten our grip on Your promises. Show us how to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You today. Fill our hearts with Your calm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Alright then, friend, as you move on from this ol’ porch and into the windin’ path of your day, carry this truth the way a tall cedar carries the morning breeze, steady and rooted. Let the peace of Jesus git to settlin’ in your spirit like a beautiful, hand-stitched quilt hangin’ proud on an ol’ farmhouse wall, bright and sure even when the weather turns moody. Keep right on holdin’ His calm real close with the quiet confidence of a river otter glidin’ through cool water, knowin’ it was made for that kind of ease. And keep on movin’ forward with the gentle boldness of a meadow lark takin’ flight at dawn, trustin’ the Lord to guide what you release and steady what you keep, remindin’ you that you were never meant to carry the whole world in your hands anyway.
With joy,
Gwen
