"I am not in control"

I grew up going to Sunday school. This picture is a perfect example of what my Sunday school teachers would put up on the felt board as they told the Bible story and I would sit wide-eyed, listening and looking at the image.

This is the story of Jesus calming the storm. It's found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. And it is the story I will be speaking on this Wednesday night at college group. My first time speaking EVER. Am I a bit nervous? Yes. Am I excited? Heck YES.

We are in a series called "5 Things I Wish My Parents Had Told Me". Week 1 was "Life is hard." Week 2 was "You are going to die." (Morbid title, I know. But it's basically like, you are going to die, I am going to die, let's live life accordingly. How do you want to be remembered when you are gone? What do you want your legacy to be?) And then there's Week 3 this Wednesday: I am not in control.

So, Jesus and his disciples get on this boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. The water is nice and calm, many of the disciples are trained fishermen and they're comfortable with the water, no prob. They're in control. Jesus is exhausted and takes a nap at the back of the boat. And then...the HUGE storm comes. All of a sudden, they are not in control at all. The wind is going nuts, the water is spilling into the boat, the disciples are afraid they are all going to drown. They cry out to Jesus for help.

I honestly think there is no better topic for me to speak on for my first time. God has been at work in my life this past year (more than any other year) and this is one of the biggest lessons He has shown me. I am not in control. I may try and have control and make my own plans, but I have learned to leave my ideas, will, and plans with Him.

It's so comforting to know I can cry out to God when I'm afraid...and I know He is there and He will calm my storms. I am not in control, but I know who is.