Not in control

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." Proverbs 16:9

Like many runners at the Chicago Marathon Sunday, Dan Kapinus' race did not go as expected. Although he prepared for the race by training hard, using data tracking and studying years of his own running statistics that indicated his training pace would get him the sub-four-hour marathon he had planned, nothing could have prepared him for this 26.2 mile race where the temperatures climbed into the mid-70s. After crossing the finish line in 4:29:19 (much later than he had "planned"), he said, "All the tech in the world can’t control the weather and it can’t control your body. The heat really started to mess with me."

You know weather conditions aren't the only things that you and I can't control. We can't control things like flight delays, sickness, getting stuck in traffic, injuries or layoffs-and those are just a few of the things that could serve to ruin any plans you and I might make. Solomon clearly understood that when he wrote, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." He was reminding us that is it foolish for any of us to think that we have the power to make anything happen on our own--and that we would not be able to take even one step without God providing the power to do so. 

So rather than planning our own "course" today, may you and I say, "God willing, we will do this or that." And then may we direct our eyes toward Him-in every step saying, "Lord, direct my way." After all, His ways are always better than ours anyway. Wouldn't you agree?

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that so clearly tells us that we can do nothing apart from you and cannot control the paths our lives take. Knowing that, may we look to you for guidance before taking even a single step or making a single plan. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I'm Running - Mary Mary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GUMSCtqISA

http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/originals/ct-bsi-marathon-tech-results-20171009-story.html