The "Rasslin' Match"

This is a picture of my dad. My dad is in Heaven with Jesus now, but I still think about him a lot and remember some of the good times we used to have together. One thing I remember is how we used to have "rasslin’ matches" when I was a little boy. We’d get down on the floor and wrestle. He’d take my arm and put it behind my back and he’d say, "Do you give up?" I’d say, "No!" He would keep holding my arm behind my back until I’d say, "I give up! I give up!" He would let me up, and I would jump right back on him and the "rasslin’ match" would start all over again. Of course, my dad was much larger and stronger than I was and he could have easily won every "rasslin’ match," but he didn’t. He would often let me win.

We often get into a "rasslin’ match" with our Heavenly Father. We want to do things our way, and he wants us to "give up" and let Him be in control of our life. The things that He wants for us are much better than the things we want for ourselves. In the Bible God says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God, our heavenly Father is strong and mighty. He could easily force us to do what He wants us to do, but He doesn’t do that. He patiently waits for us to "give up" and give Him control. Isn’t it time we said, "I give up! I give up!" and let Him have control of our life?

Dear Father, we choose You to be the Lord of our life. We "give up." You are in control. Amen.