Tuesday, September 1, 2026
God is sovereign!
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”( Hebrews 12:2).
Bryan Johnson is regarded by many as a longevity enthusiast who believes man can conquer death. He has devoted considerable time, resources, and discipline to maximising the possibility of living a longer and healthier life. His approach includes getting about 7–9 hours of sleep, eating a diet centred on whole foods, vegetables, fruits, lean protein, nuts and seeds, and exercising regularly. He routinely monitors various health indicators, including blood pressure, blood glucose and HbA1c, cholesterol and triglycerides, kidney and liver function, weight, waist circumference, and cardiovascular fitness. He also takes numerous supplements. At 49 years old he says his goal is to achieve immortality by reaching a point where one year of chronological time passes without his biological age increasing!
Yet, something unexpected happened. During a routine health assessment, Johnson was diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis (AIG), a chronic autoimmune condition for which there is no cure. Despite doing so much to optimise his health and longevity, he was reminded of a reality that none of us can escape: we are not ultimately in control of our lives.
Much as today we can send people into space, lperform incredibly complex medical procedures, yet, for all our achievements, there remains a boundary that human beings cannot cross by their own power. Life itself belongs to God. However much we try death which came through the curse of Adam and Eve’s sinning is inevitable. “But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” — Genesis 2:17
While it is important we remain responsible stewards of the bodies and opportunities God has given us, we must never confuse stewardship with sovereignty. We can influence our health, but ultimately we are not immortal. We can make plans, but God determines the boundaries of our earthly journey. We can accomplish remarkable things, but we remain creatures—not the Creator.
Therefore, instead of placing our ultimate confidence in ourselves, we should humbly place our lives in God’s hands. For he reminds us: “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” — Job 12:10
Life is a gift from God. Every breath is a reminder of His sustaining power. Our responsibility is not to control everything, but to live faithfully, wisely and purposefully while trusting the One who holds our lives in His hands.
Reflection
Do I sometimes place too much confidence in my own abilities, resources, health or plans? Am I consciously entrusting my life and future to God?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Almighty God, thank You for the precious gift of life. Help me to recognise that my life ultimately belongs to You. Teach me to be a good steward of my health, my time, my abilities and every opportunity You give me, while never forgetting that You alone are sovereign over my life. May my life bring glory to You and fulfil the purpose for which You created me. In Jesus’ name I pray!
