While I am not a fan of meetings, I have to admit that if there is one meeting I do like, it’s our church staff meeting. That’s because I am sitting in a room filled with people who truly know their purpose in this world. Also, there’s always a lot of laughter.
Yesterday, even though I’m the one who puts together each week’s agenda, I had forgotten to ask one of the staff members to give the opening devotional. So, being in a time crunch, I opened my computer and pulled up a devotional I had written a few years ago. As expected, it was brilliant.
After we went around the room listing prayer concerns, it was time for the devotional. As I read the devotional to the staff, I said, “Let us pray,” and then said a prayer.
Once the devotional was over, I noticed Brian putting his hands together as he tried to get my attention. But me, not being the brightest bulb in the box, didn’t have a clue why Brain’s hands were together. Finally he blurted out, “You didn’t say a prayer.”
Realizing Brian hadn’t been listening to my life-changing devotional that included a prayer, I said, “Really? You didn’t hear me say a prayer?”
Then Amanda turned to Brian and said, “I thought you were putting your hands together to say you wanted the church to have a yoga day.” That’s the moment I realized that I was no longer in control of the meeting. Things went downhill from there.
Never operate under the delusion that you are in control of much of anything. You’re not. None of us are.
In a world filled with illness, stock market crashes, drunk drivers, identity theft, marital infidelity, pink slips, natural disasters, terrorists, and pastors who do not realize hearing, “Let us pray,” means they are about to hear a prayer, there’s a whole lot of chaos.
The wonderful news is that in this crazy world, there is someone who is so powerful, he can take every situation and bring good out of it.
Paul said, “For we know that God works all things together for the good, for those that love Him and that are called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28)
Don’t think you are in control. That’s God’s department. He’s on top of it.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me turn control of my life and everything I’m about, over to you. Help me to always remember you’ve got everything well in hand. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Just for the record, even though Brian is the best associate pastor I’ve ever worked with, I am very concerned about his inability to hear a prayer. It’s part of the job. But I will trust God will see him through. I don’t have any other choice.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 