Who's in Control?

May 22, from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
When things don't go as you would like, accept the situation immediately.  If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment.  Remember that I am soverign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My mighty hand.  Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding.
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come.  Don't let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me.  The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you.  When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view circumstances from My perspective.

I looked back through the devotions for the past week and found these tidbits of truth to solidify this truth in my mind and heart:

As you sit quietly in My Presence, remember that I am a God of abundance.
It is impossible for you to comprehend the lavishness of My provisions: the fullness of My glorious riches.
Trust Me enough to let Me guide you through this day, accomplishing My purposes in My timing.

I am sovereign over every aspect of your life!
I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My presence.  That is a fact, totally independent of  your feelings.

It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings.
Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace.

What more could you need?

These truths made my heart sing.  They were confirmations of His Presence this week.  As many of you know, while we were accompanying a mission group from our church in Chimaltenango, La Iglesia Bautista Canaan, in the construction of a church building in caserio, La Cumbre, in the aldea Nearer, our home was robbed. 
We had left early Tuesday morning on our journey, arriving early in afternoon and began the work of clearing and preparing the construction site.  Working later into Tuesday night, all day and into the night again on Wednesday, the team completed the structure early Thursday afternoon.  While taking a much needed break (and very MUCH needed baths) at nearby hot water pools, we received the news. There was the immediate confidence that God is in Control, all we have belongs to Him, and it was really His stuff they took.  Really, what can you do when you are 7 hours away from home and not able to leave to return home until the next day anyway?  Rest in Him and wait on Him.  Sure there were the thoughts of wondering what they had taken but there was/is the underlying confidence of God's Peace.

The next day, after returning the part of the team who had ridden with us and supplies, we returned home.  Evidently, these guys had "cased" the street throughout the week, walking along ringing doorbells, accessing who was home and who was not.  Our neighbors were gone about an hour that afternoon and returned to find our gate door open and our car not parked inside. Knowing we weren't expected home until later, they knew what had happened.  They accessed the damage and responded quickly to inform our mission office for our notification,  called our mutual landlord to have the locks changed, contacted the local police (who did show up about 5 hours later), and even slept in their downstairs living room that night to be closer to hear and respond should the robbers return.  But even sweeter was the fact they cleaned up the mess and put things back in drawers and shelves so we didn't have to return to total chaos.  And to top it off, they brought lunch for us, then graciously left for us to access the damage and rest while they prayed for us. 

Yes, they took things that inconvience our lives - a computer, a hair dryer, a camera. They took things that hold some memories - jewelry.  They took things that provde for our health - 6 months supply of medicine we had purchased for our time in the states. But we also found they took some things that can change their lives eternally - two of David's Bibles - one Spanish, one in English.  After the initial "Ah man, not my study Bible," we almost laughed as we recalled one of our nieces's comments on facebook: "to the people who broke into my aunt and uncle's house in Guatemala...shame on you...here they are bringing the love of Jesus down to you...I hope you stole a Bible and God works in your heart. Trying to remember now that my sin is no different and God's grace is the same for me...praising the Lord for their safety and that material possessions can be replaced." 

In both major robberies, our Bibles have been stolen.  It is an unusual method of getting the Gospel out to the world around us, but our prayer is that God will complete His promise that His Word will NOT return void but will accomplish that to which He has sent it.  Can He use His Word even if it was stolen?  Absolutely, it has the power to bring conviction of sin and understanding of forgiveness of sins through His son, Jesus Christ.  We pray that one day around the throne in heaven, we will meet these thieves and/or whoever received the Word and praise God together that He has redeemed sinful man.

Who is really in control?  Christ alone in whom is our Security and Hope for tomorrow.