Our Control Is Only An Illusion

"The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell." (Ps 24:1)

"Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all." (1 Chron. 29:12)

"For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.
⁷ But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another." (Psalm 75:6-7)


We Human Beings are funny creatures - we are so interested in the future. We pay psychics over the phone, read horoscopes and other claptrap to see if we are going to have a good day. It isn't a new thing either (what is, really different between us and biblical human beings? - nothing), King Saul committed a grave sin by using a medium to contact a dead Samuel rather than trusting in the Lord.

This morning this topic resonated with me because I was having some nightmares about my children. It always centers around them wandering and falling into a danger that I cannot control.

As a parent, I am constantly worried on some level about my children. It usually doesn't rear itself in my daily life, but in dreams it can be quite frightening for me. It is my worst fears realized in nightmare form.

My fears in daily life (when I'm awake) usually center around provision and the desire to provide for the needs of my family and the hope that should something happen to me, they will be well cared for. At the same time, I hope that my career will grow and mature. When I was a younger single Christian, my primary desire was to find a good woman who was willing to spend the rest of her life with me (a seemingly insurmountable task at the time - praise God that He can work miracles!).

All these things are connected because they are all out of my control. I surely want to control them - to make sure my family is safe and secure and that my career is blossoming, but I cannot.

That is where the need to trust in and pray to the Lord comes into play. Trust is evidenced and developed over time - much like how a new marriage is fragile because it is so young, so too is our walk with the Lord when we are new Christians. Over time, the Lord's faithfulness is evidenced - not in the way that we envision, want or desire, but instead in the way that He desires for us, knowing the beginning and the end of our lives.

Consequently, our lives never ever develop in the way that we believe it will go. Yet, looking back on the time that I have been a Christian -- would I change anything? Would I trade my life for another? How can I? I am living the life that the Lord has granted to me, and it is well with my soul.

The Lord doesn't promise us perfection in life - living in a fallen world, tragedies happen all the time. Thorns and jagged edges abound everywhere and we can be cut physically, mentally and emotionally.

However, as a child of God - one whose Lordship is no longer our own, but given over to Christ, God promises eternal life and also to use our lives in a way that is beneficial to his kingdom - a life that is fulfilling because it fills our purpose for living.

At this point, earthly control - earthly results are no longer important. There is an eternity for us to look forward to. As Paul says boldly in Philippians 1:21, to live is Christ, to die is gain. There is no need for control over our futures, instead we merely need to focus on self-control and discipline in living God's ways (one of the fruits of the spirit in Gal. 5:22). Living in submission with Him, He will guide our steps and use us in the way that will maximize our lives, and the lives of our families.

Lord Jesus, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the dangers of this life can seem so large and imposing. I forget Your perspective and Your will all too easily. You are in control and You are my Lord. Let my life flow in whatever way and direction You desire. Let me never try to possess my life as if it is something for me to grasp or to lay pride upon. I am yours, and my family is yours. Help me instead to be the best that I can be for them and ultimately for You. In the amazing name of Jesus - the name of salvation, I pray. AMEN.