Thoughts from our team...

Control

7 hours ago

2 min read

October 1, 2026

From Jackie Payne

I’m totally fine with being flexible as long as things go my way.

Kidding aside…I recognize that my tendency to want control and know just how things are going to turn out regularly causes me issues. Life is sticky and messy and things just show up out of the blue to deter my perfectly planned days.

The question I have to continually ask myself (and you should ask yourself as well) is whether I live as if Jesus is the Lord of my life or if I am holding onto things that I somehow think I can do a better job at handling than the Creator of the Universe. Do I let Jesus do His thing in my life or do I let my own will and way take precedence? I know on an intellectual level that to give everything to Jesus is the much smarter and wiser decision, but that doesn’t always translate to my split-second decisions or anxiety or the way I handle situations.

I missed Monday night’s women’s Bible study, so I went back and watched the video. It was all about giving everything to Jesus and living every day choosing His will and His way. After I cried a bit and praised His name, I got myself together and went to work. On the way to MAC and Carman, Olivia and I listened her Spotify playlist. The song “Control” played, and I couldn’t help but think that Jesus certainly has a sense of humor and knows how to drive home the point.

Who is better at taking care of our lives?

No one

Who is smarter and more loving?

No one

Who is wiser?

No one

Who knows me better?

No one

A Hymn of Praise

Oh, the depth of the riches

and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments

and untraceable his ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?

And who has ever given to God,

that he should be repaid?

For from him and through him

and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

Is there anything in your life today that you are holding tightly to that you need to surrender control to Jesus?

Comments

Control

October 1, 2026 From Jackie Payne I’m totally fine with being flexible as long as things go my way. Kidding aside…I recognize that my tendency to want control and know just how things are going to turn out regularly causes me issues. Life is sticky and messy and things just show up out of the blue to deter my perfectly planned days. The question I have to continually ask myself (and you should ask yourself as well) is whether I live as if Jesus is the Lord of my life or if I

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Trust Him

October 9, 2025 From Jackie Payne For the last five weeks, a small group of about ten have been going through a women’s Bible study...

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Our Anniversary

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Thoughts from our team...

Comments

Previous Posts

Control

Still Standing

With the Love of God

My Call, My Quest

Better than new furniture

One Team

New Mercies for a New Morning

Jesus Is...

Sweet Words

Yes, He Is!

Through Good Times and Bad

Loved First

Our Lighthouse

Don't Miss Jesus!

The Hope of Glory

Living the Mission

A Message of Love and Redemption

Pray Anytime

The God Who Calls Also Sustains

God-shaped Antenna

God's Refuge

Reach Out and Connect in Love

The Power of Summer Camp

For Who He Is

Thirst

Marketing 101

Called to Work

Seeing People the Way Jesus Does

Opportunities for God to Be God

Our Community

Do You Want to Shine?

Lessons From the Long Trail

Are You an Influencer?

Do Good Things

If You're Brave Enough

Planted in 2026

Your Outlook

One Thing

The Perfect Gift

A Bethlehem Moment

How's your attitude?

Fresh Eyes

By Their Fruit

May All Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful

Bound for Glory

Lifeblood of the Church

Reflect and Surrender

Don't be surprised when He hands you a shovel

Trust Him

Our Anniversary