It just happens way too often - things start getting out of hand, and we start feeling overwhelmed and out of control. We sigh and verbally declare - out loud - to anyone listening, “I need to get my ducks in a row!”
Our ducks are our resources, and we want to get all of them lined up so we will at least appear to be in control. Yep, I want to get my ducks in a row because I want control! How about you? Seems to be a common malady.
But sometimes I’m so bad off that I don’t even know where my ducks are!!
Panic quickly seizes my brain, and the thoughts rapidly start firing off.
“Do I even have any ducks?“
“Are they the right ducks?”
“At one time, I think I had ducks, but they apparently flew away!”
“Where have my ducks gone - can I get them back?”
“Oh dear . . . do I need ducks??”
“I think my ducks are all just swimming in a circle, not going anywhere!!”
How do I get my ducks in a row? Do I even know where to start?
Well, that would imply that we actually have the ability to make something happen in the first place. I don’t know about you, but I rarely have my act together enough to notice my “ducks” have gotten scattered, much less to cause them to line up!
Unfortunately, my ducks are only the plastic ones that are being swiftly carried along by the flow of water round and round in that tub you see at the carnival. You know the one - it’s the game where you can pick up a yellow duck, look on the bottom, and hope it says you won a prize. Yeah, those are my ducks - they’re pretty lame - they can’t even swim on their own, much less in a row! They’re simply moving around in circles, bumping into each other, and certainly not able to affect anything good or lasting in my life.
Are your ducks as lame as mine?
Good... that means you won’t count on them to help you with your problems!
But the really good news is that your ducks can remind you to look for the prize hidden underneath. Pick one up, turn it over, and read what you’ve “won.” Your Heavenly Father has already supplied the resources you need! Go ahead, pick up as many as you like - one says “Peace”, another one says “Protection”, another “Forgiveness”, and yet another “Acceptance”.
Oh yes, each and every one of them has a promise for you: “Grace” . . . “Hope” . . . “Healing” - it just keeps getting better! “Chosen” . . . “Loved” . . . “Security” . . . “Mercy” . . . “Favor” . . . they just keep coming! As each beautiful one is revealed, one can’t help but question if this is just too good to be true, but then you remember that your Heavenly Father has unlimited resources. Unlike you, He doesn’t need to get His act together - the work has already been done.
So if your life sometimes looks like that tub filled with turbulent water and all the little ducks frantically trying to make it around one more lap, pause a moment and realize that it’s in the midst of activity when the Lord shows up. He doesn’t care what your issue is because He’s got the answer for it - but you’ve got to actually reach out to receive His help. And don’t be misled - what seems to be chaos on the surface is actually God’s promises waiting to be revealed to you!
Let Him provide all the ducks you need.
