The following is an excerpt from Chapter 1 of our newest interactive Bible study book, I already AM: Testimonies of Belief in the Great I AM
Can someone else be in charge? My sanity demands it.
Same song, tenth verse. The broken record rang in my ears as I lamented the current state of affairs. Others were tired of hearing it and I was tired of saying it!
Exhaustion from the weight of life’s stresses clouded my thinking as I attempted to check something off my to-do list and seek a way out from under it. I had to find a solution!
A friend recommended the concept of uni-tasking: working on one thing at a time and a focused approach to that one task at hand before moving on to the next.
When I first heard this suggestion, I cringed at the prick to my pride. I used to pride myself on my multi-tasking. But my “expert” multi-tasking skills were failing me. And were they really worth bragging about?
I heard myself fall into the same trap of repetitive frustration and complaint. Others cringed on the other end of the phone as I broached the subject. Why did my words ring negative? Why were my inadequacies glaringly evident?
My prayers cried out in desperation to God. Desperate to get off the crazy train. Anxious to disembark the spinning carousel. My thoughts were my greater enemy than the daunting tasks at hand; the overwhelmed frustrations became mountains in my mind.
My rambling cries to God culminated in a myriad of questions, “Can someone else be in charge? I don’t want to be responsible. Can I turn over the reins? Can someone tell me what to do next? How do I discern the priorities? Maybe it will all stop long enough for me to catch my breath...”
My questions continued in a torrent of words and emotions. And I came back to my initial question, “Can someone else be in charge?”
After a deep sigh, relieved to express my deepest longing to God, grateful for the ability to put it into words, He responded. A still small voice, a quieting of my spirit, a gentle embrace with a patient chuckle ushered me into the clear statement, “I already am. I AM.”
Did you catch that?! The Great I AM was already in charge of my life, of my situation, of my world—the same world that I felt was spinning out of control.
The One who was and is and is to come was already in charge, taking care of things in ways I could not comprehend. He’s got this. I can let go. I should let go. I will let go. And let Him lead.
No matter what the questions you are asking, the problems you are facing, the doubts, fears, confusion, or frustration that clouds your mind, I invite you to hear the gentle, welcoming response of our eternal Father, “I already AM.”
Your question may be expressed with different words. What is one of the questions you are facing in your own life?
What is your response to hearing “I already AM” from the Great I AM in the midst of your current life circumstances?
Even if you don’t yet hear an answer, may we rest in the promise of the Great I AM and dwell in His presence today. He’s already there. And He’s got this. Whatever it is.
To continue this study, order your own copy of I already AM: Testimonies of Belief in the Great I AM
And we would love for you to join us in connecting more deeply to the I AM and to one another at our Destination Retreat, November 1-3. Early Registration ends October 16 (or pay an additional $15). Remember, we are modeling a bilingual event this year, so invite your Spanish-speaking friends!