So what do I mean by that? It’s a philosophy and not a golf reference for the sports enthusiasts out there. The biggest self-perpetuated delusion of my life (and possibly of your life, too) is that I am in control of it. I get up each day, I work, I pay my bills, I have fun, I attend church, I commune with God, and I have relationships all because I am a capable, reliable, and totally self-sufficient individual. Wrong. I get up each day, I work, I pay my bills, I have fun, I attend church, I commune with God, and I have relationships- all because the God of the universe loves me and allows me to.
Check out the first chapter of Genesis; you can use www.biblegateway.com if you don’t have a Bible. God spoke the world into existence. He said it, it happened. It is that simple. If there is a Being so large and powerful out there who created the entire universe, then how could we possibly think that He would relinquish control of everything to us pip-squeaks here on earth? We think that because it makes us feel powerful, it makes us feel anchored, and it makes us feel safe to think that we are the god of our own world. Or does it?
A fundamental concept seen throughout the Bible is that God is in control of the world and He uses us, human beings, to accomplish His purposes. Are we then pawns in a giant cosmic, heavenly chess game? No. We are God’s children. He is and was completely whole and perfect before He created us. He did not create us out of need, He created us out of love. He made us in His image and adopted us as His own, co-heirs with His son. Romans 8:16-17a (NKJV) says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ”. His purpose is to bring His children to know Him, to know His love, and to have a personal relationship with Him.
So because God has love as His motive and because of His perfect and good nature, it is completely more powerful, more anchoring, and safer that He is in control. Face it, as humans we mess up all the time. I can barely remember a grocery list without writing it down on a post-it. How can I be master of my universe? Though I may try, the reality is that I cannot. I will fail. I am not powerful enough to create the universe, smart enough to understand how everything works together, or compassionate enough to offer my son for the sins of mankind. (I don’t have a son, but I wouldn’t offer my pretend son either).
And God knows that we are not enough by ourselves. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV) reads, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” One day when we are in heaven with our Lord, we may understand all of the things that we did not have the holy vision to see here on earth. But He knows that we don’t have it all together in this life, that’s why He makes Himself available to us.
As much as we sometimes wish we were in control, think we are in control, or even try to be in control, God is really in charge. Any attempt to grab the wheel and change direction from our path will ultimately result in some very bumpy off-roading to get us back on track. I know this from experience, and I am sure you also have examples in your life where you took a devastatingly wrong turn and paid the price.
Though I know it is tough, sit back and trust that you are learning the right lessons at exactly the right time. Things are unfolding exactly as they should. If you do not understand the plan, that is okay. That’s not your job. Your job is to LISTEN and to DO. Leave the understanding to the All-knowing Being who created things like math and daylight.
So very true but yet so hard to do and understand. As you get older you look back on your life and see why things did happen the way they did. . It was the His plan.