Day 17 - Control

"God is in control". I have heard this all my life from people in all walks of life. So you can imagine my surprise when our Pastor said the other day "God is not in control". Yes, that shook my theology a bit until I continued to listen to his reasoning. He went on to say, (and I am paraphrasing), that although God is the creator and ruler of all, He has delegated control and dominion to us, mere humans, dust. So really, you and I are, to some extent, in control. If you think about it, it really explains a lot of the "mysteries" of life. Why children are abused. Why innocent people are murdered. I mean, God, who is love, surely would not choose for these things and a whole mess of other things to happen. So it leaves us to ponder the idea of who really is in control. Way back at the beginning of creation, God established free will. Adam and Eve had it. You and I have it. I could, at this very moment, choose to do anything. I could have chosen not to walk this morning because of the rain. I could have chosen to eat that fried chicken yesterday instead of my fruit cup. I could choose to drink myself into oblivion, or lie, or cheat on my husband, or steal. I could make any of those choices because I am in control of what I decide to do. So why don't we just do whatever we want, whenever we want? Well, some people do. In fact, more and more people seem to be doing whatever feels good at the moment, giving no thought to who it effects around them or to the eternal consequences that comes with those choices.  Do you ever hear a conversations that starts like this: "If God is love, then why would he allow something like that to happen?" It all boils down to this very fact that each person is in control of their life.  The difference lies when people truly choose to follow God and submit to Him in ALL things. Not just when things are going wrong. Not just when there is a crisis. Not just on Sunday morning from 11-12. Every day, every minute, every hour. Your desire is to please the Father in all you do and say. Don't get me wrong-I am not talking about perfect people who never make mistakes, but I am referring to people who's heart is truly turned towards the things of God and desire to live according to His ways. There is a scripture that says "We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose." Romans 8:28 (amp). I love how the Amplified Bible states it so clearly here. It's not that God takes all things in every one's life, regardless of their choices and allegiances, and works it out for good. No, it says that we know that when we are walking with God (He being a partner in our labor) he has the ability to take any situation and adjust it to fit into His master plan for our life, if we are following Him. Everything hinges on who we are following. Everything comes down to this: am I totally sold out for God? Is it truly settled in my heart that I follow Him and no one or nothing else, or not. Until that matter in the direction towards God is settled in our hearts and minds, so much of scripture doesn't apply to our lives. Most promises in scripture begin with "If you...". And if you don't, then don't bother reading the rest, because it won't matter, except to show you what you are missing out on.  So in actuality, saying "God is in control" is really a cop out, relinquishing our right and duty to make Godly choices, so that when our life falls apart, we then can turn and blame God for it as well. Control. We want it when it benefits us, and shun it when others try to hold it over us. But when we learn to exercise healthy control over our lives, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, suddenly a whole new world is opened to us. When we ask God to be in control of our lives, and give Him permission to lead us, He rushes in. He is such a gentleman that He will never force his control on us. He desires that we submit to Him, and answers as soon as we call. Ironically a life lived under submission of God's will is so freeing! A life of blessing, abundance and true fulfillment. And grace for when our hearts are right, but we miss the mark. Control. You have been given a wonderful gift. Use it wisely.