Can’t Find a Roadmap

July 6, 2012 in Creativity, Dreams, Guest Posts, Life with 28 Comments

Photo by Kevin Lawver (Creative Commons)

Today’s guest post is by Tammy Helfrich. Tammy is a wife, Mom, and writer. She has a passion for writing about life, marriage, motivation, and telling the stories of people who are making a difference.  Tammy is learning to live a healthier lifestyle, and live a better story. You can connect with her at her blog here or on Twitter @tammyhelfrich

I am a planner. I like to be organized. I like to know that everything will be okay. I like to be in control.

Over the last few years, God has been working in my heart to change this. For a long time, He had been asking me to give up my illusion of control. He wanted me to surrender things I had been holding on to. He wanted me to allow Him to direct my paths.

But, I kept pushing back.

When I finally did surrender control, one of the most frustrating things for me was learning to live more fluidly. To stop trying to plan every aspect of my life. To actually let God be in control.

I am being obedient, God. I finally listened. Why won’t you show me the plan? PLEASE, just give me a glimpse!

But, guess what? God doesn’t work like that. He only shows us pieces at a time. Small pieces. Tiny pieces.

“God has to work on your soul “in secret,” according to the saints and mystics. If God gave you any idea of what God was doing, which is always radical surgery, you would do one of two things: you would try to stop it, or you would try to engineer it and take control of the process. God has to operate in darkness to get the job done. It is sort of humiliating, isn’t it? Yet it is also deeply consoling, because even on your seemingly empty and unexciting days, even then, you can trust that God is working in you, with you, and for you.”  Father Richard Rohr

As I think about this, it makes sense. Why would God show me the plan? I would do everything in my power to try to control it.

“God doesn’t give us a roadmap, because we would worship it.” Jon Acuff

It’s pretty humbling, isn’t it? But it’s also freeing.

I don’t have to have it all figured out.

I just have to listen and obey.

There is freedom in that.

There is peace.

There is joy.

There is comfort.

 

Have you ever asked God for a roadmap?

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  • http://JaredLatigo.com/ Jared Latigo

    Not sure how i missed this post. Man, thats a great quote from Jon. I love the idea here too…it really is comforting to know we don’t have to have the master plan of everything. :D

    • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

      Jon is awesome. I think Tammy did a great job as well. It really does take some stress off when you realize you are NOT in control doesn’t it!

  • http://www.danapittman.com/ Dana Pittman

    Asked? More like begged. However, I am learning…and relearning…to take comfort in knowing He knows. That’s just fine with me. :o )

  • Chris

    GREAT post Tammy!!  Love the quotes you cited and your thoughts on them! 

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  • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

    Yes I have! I keep learning and re-learning to trust. I am grateful for His grace!

    Thank you for sharing this.

    • tammyhelfrich

      Thanks, Ngina!

  • http://dailygallen.com/ tim gallen

    have i ever asked god for a roadmap? all the flippin’ time! great post, tammy. having been in the middle of a crisis the past year and a half this really spoke to me. truly, there is freedom in just taking a deep breath and listening. god knows what he’s doing. let he who is in control take control. amen!

    • tammyhelfrich

      Thanks, Tim! I appreciate it. Hope things continue to get better. Keep trusting. He is in control!

  • http://talesofwork.com/ kimanzi constable

    Just like the song says” Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.” I know what you’re saying about being in control, I’m the same way. It’s hard to feel like you have no control :) Great thoughts Tammy

    • tammyhelfrich

      Thanks!!

  • http://www.jonstallings.com Jon Stallings

    If God gave us the full picture we would not longer need to rely on faith.  And since I do not see the big picture I do not have to be responsible for the outcome.  That is freedom

    • tammyhelfrich

      So true!

  • http://chrystalmurphy.com/ Chrystal

    Me too, Tammy. Me too. Thanks for this encouraging post.

    • tammyhelfrich

      Thanks, Chrystal!

  • http://deuceology.wordpress.com Larry Carter

    I have wanted a roadmap….moreso when I was younger. I’m a bit older now and know it won’t happen.

    • tammyhelfrich

      I hear you, there! Perspective does come as we get older, too.

  • http://www.theycallmekeeks.com/ Kristen Keyser

    Thank you for this! I am struggling to trust the process. I am sharing this with my best friend right away : )

    • tammyhelfrich

      It can be so hard! But He knows better!

  • http://inhisloveministries.blogspot.com/ Pilar Arsenec

    This is great as always Tammy!  Love it!

    • tammyhelfrich

      Thanks Pilar!

  • http://rebootingworship.com/ Jamie Kocur

    All the time. But I’ve learned to (try to) live in the moment, and take things day by day. 

    • tammyhelfrich

      I have learned to live like that too, Jamie. It is difficult at first, but so freeing!

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  • http://www.eileenknowles.com Eileen

    Oh boy, have I ever asked God for a roadmap?  Most certainly!  In fact, there was time when I yanked the map out of His hands and got horribly lost.  The map needs to stay in His capable hands.  Great post, Tammy.  

    • tammyhelfrich

      I have asked so many times too, Eileen!

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    I have asked before and it seems like I never get one )-: But that’s okay because I’m one of those people that would throw the roadmap to the side of the road after awhile. 

    • tammyhelfrich

      I have yet to get one too, Joe! Thanks for stopping by.