Modern Day Atlas

The other night I awoke about two A.M. Couldn't sleep. My mind was spinning. I was mulling over all the problems of the church, all the problems the people were facing in their personal lives, all the things I should have done already, and all the things I still needed to do, all the annoying little things that people do and say. All, all, all....no use. No sleep. I rolled from one side to the other, wrestled with my pillow, and kicked the covers. Finally somewhere around dawn, I dozed off just in time for the alarm to wake me up.

As I headed to the office I was still at it, thrashing away frantically at ALL! I gripped the steering wheel sternly. My chest felt tight. My body was taut. I was physically in the car and even managing to drive somehow, but my mind was all over the place. Here it was a lovely sunny day and I was trying to be a modern day Atlas. I was carrying the cares and concerns of MY world on my shoulders. I was a weary wooden warrior of worry.

Then a thought hit me. Hey! What are you trying to do run the universe? Remember you didn't create it and God didn't assign you the task! So stop trying to play Mr. Atlas. Do you think that God has no stake in YOUR world or in YOUR life? Do you think God is unaware of all these problems? After all, God has seen problems and people come and go. But the sun still rises in the East and sets in the West, and life still goes on . . . new problems and new people.

As I drove along, the bigger my thoughts about God became, and the smaller my problems became. Before I reached the office I was driving with one hand, leaning back in the seat, singing outloud, and enjoying the drive.

Many times we miss so much when we trust only in our own mind and muscle. Tell me the absolute truth: Are you enjoying this day? Or are you so wrapped up in self-pity, worry and feverish activity that you can not feel the sunshine, see the stars, hear the laughter of children, or know the presence of God?

Can I give you two words of advice? Stop it! Remember God has a stake in YOUR life. He wants you to relax and enjoy this day. And tonight, when you go to bed; say a prayer, put your head down on the pillow, and go to sleep. Peter said it this way, ". . . casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

God will take care of the universe while you are asleep. After all He has been doing it for a long long time.