Control Freaks

But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Romans 8:24b

God loves control freaks. God died for control freaks. But control freaks rob their gospel of its power.

First off, you are not in control. Period. Okay, you can pick where you buy your latte but most of your life is in the hands of randomness, whimsy or even cruelty. Bad people do get good things to happen. Good people have terrible days. Homeless families were doing just fine a few months ago. People who were given up on leave the hospital. Over-protective parents get news of teenage pregnancies.  Spouses wake up one day and say, "No more!"

From my albeit personal survey, control freaks are more unhappy than most people if not more depressed. Deep down, they know most of their controlling ways yield little. It's a stressful, uphill battle to keep things (and people) under control. But God redeems.

God say, "Let me take over." God never moves without your ultimate end in view. And it is a beautiful end. While God may not step in and, poof, change your reality (do you really know the whole of what's going on anyway,) God will not be thwarted. Here comes Paradise.

When we take over, life is on our shoulders and, quite honestly, our shoulders aren't strong enough. Hope disappears because there is nothing beyond us and our own control.

Take a wider view today. Ask God what God is doing. Trust what God is doing. Don't become uninvolved. Just believe God's promise that "there's more" and let God sweat the big stuff. God is trustworthy. Hand over the reins. (but buy your won latte.)

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)