Week 34: August 23-29, 2026 - Repeat after me: “We are not in control!”

This week’s daily readings:

August 23-29, 2026

This week’s devotional:

Repeat after me: “We are not in control!”  

by Murielle Francois

Scripture:

Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” 

— John 18:8-9 (NIV) 

Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
“But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.

— John 18:31-32 (NIV) 

Reflection:

It was my first year away from home on my college campus, and I remember getting onto the crowded elevator to get to my floor where my class was. That was the first time I realized I was claustrophobic. I also realized I had obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). I was cleaning a lot; everything had to be organized into rows by size and color. That’s how my parents raised me and my siblings. I wanted things to go right all the time, so I developed OCD and the claustrophobia came along with it. I found it hard being away from home for the first time but wanted to experience it because I had lived a sheltered life. I wanted to control my life, and I had everything planned out. I was the first one in my high school class accepted into college a year before graduation. Who does that? Me!

I wanted life to go right, so when I prayed, I had a plan all laid out and would then ask God to come into my plan. That is not how God works, though! God wants you to come onboard with his plan already laid out for you. My 20s were a hard time for me, though I learned a lot about myself and about how I was raised. Looking back now, I realize I was trying to take control of a path already created for me. I wanted to take the scenic route and make life easier for myself, but instead it became more difficult because I forgot who was truly in control. In my prayers, I reminded God of my wants and dreams and aspirations, for fear he would forget and disappoint me. And that fear was truly an evil spirit.

Now I realize that the Bible uses Jesus to shows us how to accept God’s plan for our lives. Jesus’ path was predestined, which was pointed out many times in the Old Testament and referenced in the two Scriptures I have called out. Yes, even Jesus, the Messiah, had his life planned out for him, and he was OK with that—more than OK! We don't need control because God’s plan is perfect! Before his crucifixion, when Jesus prayed to have his life spared, he added “yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). He was showing us that it’s OK to ask and question God about our paths, but doing things God’s way is always the way to go. I try always to align myself with God’s will. It’s OK to give up control because he is preparing the next chapter of my life and equipping me to stand against the enemy when he tries to feed me lies. And when he does, I can just pick up the sword of the Spirit and fight back because I am more than a conqueror! 

These Scripture verses make me realize that things happen for reasons that may not be revealed to us until some future chapter in our lives. I believe our destinies are written out just like Jesus’ was. Maybe the things we learned here will help us be whole later on in eternity? I see now why I went through certain things in my youth, and I sense I am now being prepared for something down the line, though I don't know what it is. I’ll just keep looking to God for whatever comes next! 

Prayer:

Abba Father, I thank you that you are in control, that you hold all the answers to my worries and doubts. Thank you for prewriting my destiny out for me, for knowing what’s next for me, for guiding me on the path that you have written out for me. I ask that you would allow the Holy Spirit to guide me this day. Come and take over the thoughts of my mind. Let the words that come out of my mouth today come from you and let my actions reflect Christ! Help me, Jesus, to accept that God is in control, in every day, in every situation. Help me walk the path that was written for me by Our Father. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen