Sticky Note #10

"I'm sad, but I know that God is still in control"

A couple weeks ago I got a text from my housemate that her 18 year old cousin had driven off the road and died. This young man was the epitome of a "life taken too soon" if you were to  look at it from the world's standards. Just graduated from high school, he was headed to a great college on a sports scholarship. Having received several prestigious awards for his sport of choice, this was the type of young man that you expected to see in the major news headlines in the near future. The next greatest in his sport.

But in a second, that career came to an end. After a long competition in another part of the state, he was driving home, his mother driving somewhere behind him. He fell asleep at the road, drove off the road and into the ditch. His mother drove up to the scene and discovered her only son was gone.

Last night was the first time I got to visit with my housemate since this happened. She shared with me the reaction of the family to this loss and the thing that struck me the most was the above statement. After receiving the news, she went to her Aunt and Uncle's house and was greeted at the door by her cousin (sister and only sibling of the young man). Her cousin's response to this horrible, tragic and life-altering news was "I'm sad, but I know that God is in control"

Is that my first reaction when tragedy strikes? Am I really able to go immediately to the comfort of God's sovereignty in my life? Can I honestly say "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21)?

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.


May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.


Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.


Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go - 
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

( "Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer", Music by Keith Getty; Words by Margaret Becker, Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music )