His words, not mine. His purpose, not mine.

I looked across at the audience as I sat in their midst running through my speech in my head. I had been asked to speak about how you can control the chaos and prioritize the things that matter most. It is the question I get asked more than anything else-”How do I do it all.” The prepared answer is that I have amazing support, that I can be efficient by focusing and making lists. The truth is, I don’t do it all. I had these wonderful seven points I planned to share, things I have learned through the years. The problem? I didn’t think this was an audience that would care at all about prioritizing things or controlling the chaos. Most of us were in a very different phase of life-who was I to give wisdom to those that I usually pull wisdom from? I began to doubt all that I had prepared, and then I remembered. I had prayed over these words. I had prayed while preparing that God give me the right words to speak. I had prayed that this engagement further His purpose, not mine. So, I got up to speak. I didn’t change any words or any plan regardless of my opinion. These were not my words, these were the words God directed me to speak-trust and obey. “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11, NIV). His words, not mine. His purpose, not mine.