Every pastor has a “favorite story” from the Bible. And, if you ask them again next week, you’ll probably hear a different one. I’m the same way. But one story that consistently ranks among my favorites is the story of Abraham and Sarah.
Abraham and Sarah were given an incredible promise: God told them their descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). But as time dragged on, the promise seemed less likely to come true. Sarah remained childless, and the waiting grew unbearable. Frustrated with God’s timing, Sarah decided to take control.
Instead of surrendering to God’s plan, she urged Abraham to have a child with her handmaid, Hagar. The plan worked—Hagar gave birth to a son, Ishmael. But what was supposed to solve their problem only created more. Tension, jealousy, and family strife took over. Who would’ve guessed that trying to micromanage God’s promise would backfire?
Years later, God did exactly what He said He would. Sarah, despite her old age, gave birth to Isaac—the child through whom God would establish His covenant. In hindsight, Sarah’s attempt to force the promise only complicated things. It’s a classic example of how trying to be the CEO of the universe doesn’t work.
When Trusting is Tough
I get Sarah’s struggle. I’m a driven, disciplined person who loves being in control. (something I am working on in myself). I like making things happen. But here’s the thing: when I try to control everything, I’m not really trusting God.
Not too long ago, I was out of work. I’d left my position at a local church, and this time was different. For the first time, I wasn’t just job hunting for myself; I had a family to think about—my wife and our 18-month-old son. It was scary. I felt the weight of providing and the pressure to find something fast.
I wanted to push doors open, create opportunities, and force things to happen. But I knew deep down that this approach wouldn’t work. This time, I decided to trust God fully, even when His timeline felt painfully slow.
I can’t tell you it was easy. I wrestled with doubts. But I’m here to tell you that surrendering control was the best decision I’ve made in a longtime. God showed up—right on time. Not my timing, but His. And His timing is always perfect. I landed exactly where I’m supposed to be in this season of life, serving as the Director of Youth and Families at a small but vibrant church in Northeast Illinois.
Leadership Starts with Letting Go
Sarah’s story and my own remind me of a hard truth: clutching control doesn’t lead to peace; it leads to chaos. True leadership isn’t about forcing outcomes or micromanaging every detail. It’s about surrendering, trusting God to work out His plans in His way and His time.
When leaders learn to let go, they model humility and faith. They stop trying to be the CEO of the universe and start following God’s direction, even when His plans seem way too big or His timing feels way too slow.
So here’s the challenge: stop clutching control. Trust God with the outcomes, even when they don’t align with your plans. A surrendered leader walks in faith, knowing that God’s got it—and His plans are always better than anything we could ever manufacture.
As Corrie Ten Boom once said: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
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