Musings of a Christian Control Freak

I’m having a chat with myself today, asking, “So, control freak, who is REALLY in charge of your life?”

Today I was having a chat with someone, and this person made a statement – “I wish I knew what God was thinking right now.” Have you ever thought the same thing – wondered what on earth is going through God’s mind?

I find that I often have these thoughts when there is a mini-battle in my heart over things that are going on in and around me. Naturally, I love to control my environment, because I like things predictable. God, however, does not work that way. I surrender my life to Him, hoping that things will go smoother than ever, but instead, He directs me to rocky paths that weave through dark forests, up steep hills, into deep gorges and smack in the middle of hurricanes! It’s a little hard believing that He is in control of my life when all these things are taking place, I’ll admit.

In the past couple of weeks, I have been asking God for direction in a certain area, an area that He has successfully turned upside down in the past year. Am I ready to let Him take full control of this, even if it is an uncomfortable journey?

Maybe it’s time I took another look at how exactly He controls our lives…

He is our Creator

Yes, we all know that – you don’t have to remind us, I can hear you think to yourself. Well, let’s think about what it means to be a creator.

First, someone who creates builds something out of nothing. In other words, the idea behind the actual creation is conceived long before the act of creation takes place.

Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (NIV)

The Lord knew every little detail about you before He formed you. Isn’t it awesome to think about how well He planned our lives before we came to be?

Second, the creator always has a reason and plan behind the creation. For example, Martin Cooper, the inventor of the mobile phone, knew that his invention would make telephone communication so much easier. Right now, because of this man, I can’t imagine life without a mobile phone!

Third, the creator has ‘rights’ over his creation.

Job 12:10 “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” (NIV)

When an inventor creates something that has not been created before, he always makes sure he patents it before anyone else does. A patent indicates that he is the owner of the idea, and the only person authorized to make any modifications on it. Similarly, God, our Father, holds the patent to His creation, and as such, can do whatever He wants with it.

I just need to add here that when God does what he wants with His creation, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Remember, God is a God of love, mercy, faithfulness, patience, etc. Whatever He does with and for us is always based on His love for us. There is, therefore, no need to fear when He is control of our lives – He most likely knows how we, His creation, work better than we do, because He created us!

He is the Master Planner

Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (NIV)

Finish school, get a job, get married, get a car, get a house, get children – I had everything all planned out when I was in high school.

Then I gave my life to the Lord just after high school. At that point, I lost control.

I went to university to do a course I had never heard of. On the first day, after my parents and my brother left, I cried. I felt so lonely. I didn’t know anybody, I hated the course, and I was so far from home. Thankfully, I was able to join a fellowship of believers who welcomed the freshmen with open arms and helped with lots of coping tips.

The years went by, and with each one, a dip in my grades. I could see my dreams slipping away. I, however, did not lose faith in the Lord. I knew He was in control. Those four years were tough, but I eventually graduated, full of hope that I would soon get a job, and my dreams would be fulfilled.

Let’s just say that didn’t happen.

After a year and some months of chilling at home and trying to keep busy, I got a job in a totally different field. I am still in that field, 22 years later. I got married at a time when I had given up on men and all the drama that came along with them. The children came even later, and as you all know from my previous blogs (God gave me a special gift), one of them has challenges.

But guess what – I am at peace because God is in control. I have no idea what will happen tomorrow, or what He has for me as an individual or for us as a family. All I know is that if I trust in Him, He will work things out for my good!

Yes, I lost control, but it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me!

Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (NIV)

He is our Deliverer

So you find yourself in a situation that you know God has allowed in your life, and you don’t know how to get out. What do you do?

Scream, rant, cry, wallow in sadness, give up, – that’s what I do from time to time, not in that order though.

Then someone, out of the blue, reminds me of the verse below (happens every time, by the way…)

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (NIV)

Who provides the way out? God does. How is it that He is able to provide the way out? Simple – because He got you inside the first place! Nothing happens without Him knowing about it!

The story of Job comes to mind at this point. Job was the model God-follower of his time, and God prospered him because he was an obedient man. Unfortunately, not everyone was happy about this. The devil knew that Job was protected by the Lord, so he challenged God to allow him to first take away all he had, and then afflict him with a nasty illness. God allowed all this to happen to someone who loved and obeyed him with all his heart. Why? God had a lesson that He wanted Job to learn.

Towards the end of the book, Job acknowledges that God is sovereign and in control of everything, in the verses below.

Job 42: 1-6 ‘Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything,    and no one can stop you.” You asked, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?”  It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, “Listen and I will speak!   I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.” I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.’ (NLT)

Yes, Job was the ideal God-follower of his time, but he still had lots to learn about the Lord. God, therefore, used the opportunity that the devil suggested as a chance to teach Job about His sovereignty and vastness of His greatness. If Job had not gone through the time of trial, he would probably have continued to live a good life, surrounded by his family and his wealth, obeying the Lord the way he knew how. The Lord, however, needed Job to grow in his faith and in his knowledge of the Almighty, so he allowed the devil to do his thing.

Interestingly, though the devil thought he had done a great job of testing Job and driving him to a place of giving up, the Lord took charge of the outcome. This is exactly what happens when we recognize that the Lord is able to deliver us or provide a way out when we face trials – He takes charge and walks with us out of the dark place, bringing glory to His name.

Dear friends, I know it is not easy to put your life in the hands of someone you have never seen. I have been there. I however now believe that entrusting my life to the God who created me, has the master plan for my life, and who delivers me from difficult situations is the best option. Let Him take control of your life, and experience the peace and joy that come from letting Him handle things.

 

Hi, everyone! I hope you have been encouraged by today’s article. As usual, please share your thoughts in the comments section, and share this article with your family and friends! I hope and pray that in the week ahead you will let God take control of those things that seem impossible to handle, things that only HE can handle! Let Him take control!

 

 

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