Lose Control

It's easy to get used to being in control... in control of the situation, in control of life, in control of everything. The truth is that we're never totally in control even if it feels like we are, but we still structure our lives in such a way that we create the illusion of control in every aspect of our lives. We cling to this illusion, and the minute reality strikes, the moment when something disrupts our structure, we panic. We panic because we've lost control even though the reality is that we never had it to begin with. When something disrupts our perfect system and our out-of-control-ness is revealed to us, we freak out.

I think that part of following Jesus is living in the reality of our lack of control. Jesus said, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34). And let Proverbs 3:5 help put this in perspective, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." In other words, drop all of those little systems you've put in place so that you'll feel in control of tomorrow. Don't trust the illusion but trust in God in the midst of the storm. Release yourself from your need to be in control because you never were in the first place. Let your lack of control remind you of God's faithfulness. When reality strikes and you're ready to panic, take that opportunity to place your trust in the God who's had the control from the start. Take that opportunity to live in the uncontrolled rhythms of grace and to let every new day bring surprising new perspective. Lose control only to find that it wasn't yours to begin with.

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