The Day I Threw Away My Notebook
Jeremiah 17:5–10 draws a striking contrast between two kinds of people: those who trust in themselves and those who trust in the Lord. The first is described like a shrub in the desert — living in dry places, constantly striving but never satisfied. The second is like a tree planted by water, its roots reaching deep, steady and fruitful even in seasons of drought. It’s a vivid picture of what happens when we rely on our own strength versus when we live surrendered to God. But then Jeremiah takes it a step deeper:
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind.”
He reminds us that our biggest struggle isn’t just in our actions — it’s in our hearts. We can say we trust God while still depending on ourselves. We can look fruitful on the outside yet be spiritually parched on the inside.
My Spiral Notebook of Control
When my family prepared to move to Mozambique, I had a spiral notebook filled with questions. Every page was full of details I wanted figured out — where we would live, how we’d manage finances, what daily life would look like. I wanted to plan every step before we even set foot on the plane. Looking back, it wasn’t about being organized. It was about control. I was trying to make sure I could handle what was coming instead of trusting that God already had it handled. One day, it hit me. My notebook was a symbol of misplaced trust — my own modern-day desert shrub. I realized I was relying on my own understanding, not leaning on His. So I threw it away. Literally. That small act felt like a giant step of faith. It was a moment of surrender — a choice to let God lead instead of demanding answers before obedience.
The Heart God Restores
Jeremiah says our hearts are deceitful, but the story doesn’t end there. Through Jesus, God gives us a new heart — one that’s capable of truly trusting Him.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” — Ezekiel 36:26
This new heart learns to rest in God’s strength instead of our own. It doesn’t need every question answered to move forward. It trusts that God is faithful and His plans are good, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
Living a Surrendered Life
Surrender doesn’t mean giving up; it means giving over. It’s the daily choice to let go of our notebooks, our plans, our need to control every outcome. A surrendered heart says, “Your will, Your way, Lord.” When we live this way, we become like that tree planted by water — rooted in God’s presence, nourished by His Word, unshaken when life feels uncertain. Our peace no longer depends on what we can see, but on who we know God to be.
A Question for Us All
Jeremiah’s message still speaks to us today — especially to those who sit in church week after week but rarely sit in God’s presence during the week. It’s easy to believe in God but live as if everything depends on us. The question is, do we truly trust Him? Do we have a relationship with Jesus that shapes our days, or are we simply holding onto religion that keeps us busy but dry? Only one of those leads to life. So today, maybe it’s time to throw away a few “notebooks” — to release the need to know, control, or fix. Because when we surrender to the Potter, He reshapes our hearts — and that’s where real transformation begins.