A Fellowship of Believers

A Mindset Switch About… Whether or Not I Want Control

For teachers, missing a day of school is so much work. You have to write up sub plans, make copies of everything your students will do while you’re gone, and find people to cover any extra duties and responsibilities you might have. Then there’s the “joy” of returning… Depending on who your substitute was, you might be returning to a disaster zone—not just the physical state of your classroom, but the state of your class itself. Students often have lots to report/tattle about to catch you up on what happened while you were out. And don’t forget the sub notes! Most substitute teachers will leave notes about which students gave them trouble, which means you need to probably follow up with some consequences. Oh the joys!

As a veteran teacher, I’ve come to place an extremely high value on WHO subs for me when I need to be gone from school. In fact, whenever I can, I schedule my absences around a friend who is a highly trustworthy and competent sub who’s willing to teach my classes when I’m out. I check in with her at the start of each semester and ask about her availability on certain dates. Can you believe this—I’ve actually scheduled appointments or even little trips around her availability. Why? Because I hate leaving my students and classroom to the looming unknown… When I don’t schedule my own sub, I am subject to any random person (within a city-wide pool of subs) who sees the open job and snatches it up. They might be great, but they also might be the opposite of great! Ha! 

When my friend is subbing for me, though, I can be absent from school in peace. I know she’ll keep my classroom under control, I know I won’t come back to a mess, and I know she’ll hold my students accountable for the work I’ve assigned them to do. I absolutely love it when I can control this situation!! …and it’s the absolute worst when I can’t. 

As humans, most of us like having control. …control over our day-to-day operations, our future, our bank accounts, our professional circumstances, our relationships, you name it. When we’re in control, we feel empowered. And, to be honest, having control often makes us feel a greater sense of safety, security and peace. But in the kingdom of God, we are called to let go of our (perceived notion of) control and surrender to God’s ultimate and exhaustive control. 

Actually, any control we think we have is just a facade. The Bible says: 

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. -James 4:14

No one knows what is coming—who can tell someone else what will happen after them? -Ecclesiastes 10:14

Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come? -Ecclesiastes 8:7

Have you come to terms with that truth? No matter how hard you try to research, plan and prepare for the future, it is NOT in your locus of control. …that includes decades from now, next year, next month, and even later today. It is, however, squarely within God’s control. He is timeless, and He is all-powerful. He knows what will happen later today, and He knows what will happen 25 years from now. He also knows the exact day and time of Jesus’ return when He will come back to make all things new. 

So what should we do with that?! Scripture tells you exactly what. 

When you don’t know what to do next, trust Him.Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

When your mind gets swamped with worldly things, think about Him. – Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. -Colossians 3:1-2

When you’re in need of help, call on Him.He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. -Psalm 91:15

When you feel like staying stuck or giving up, keep moving forward.Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14

When you’re feeling anxious, pray to Him. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

Notice none of these verses says to obsess over planning, information gathering, and attempting to control our minutes, days, years and lifetime. Rather, we are to surrender control to the One who holds the universe in His hands. In that surrender, we will be in position to draw near to God and depend on Him to meet our needs and guide our paths. We can rest security in peace, comfort and hope knowing He holds the future. He knows everything that’s coming down the line…

For 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 29:11

When you come to the peace with the understanding that you don’t have control, but you do have Jesus, you’ll learn to realize and accept that He is all you need. The future is safe with Him.

You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. -Psalm 16:5