In the Driver's Seat

Control. That's what this is. And we want it.

• We want to ensure things are done exactly how we want them done.
• We want to be the decision-makers for our life plans and future – and sometimes, we claim this for others too.
• We have the right answer(s). Any disagreement means that others are wrong. And it’s because they are so very wrong, we will step in and fix things to get them back on track.

This controlling worldview probably means that we will have a difficult time ‘letting go’, trusting God, and submitting to God’s will. Does anyone else have this issue? Just me then?

I was introduced to a couple of images that helped me to understand that my tendency to be in control is little more than an internal myth.

Let's start by reading Sign Number 1

As you read this, were you surprised you were reading each line in the order proclaimed? Were you, like me, unable to control the order in which you read each sentence?

I’ve read this sign several times, and even with foreknowledge of the predetermined sequence, I continue to follow the predicted pattern.

This made me realize that I was not in control of this task. I had little to say about it. If something so simple defeats my ‘sense’ of control, what do I say about life’s larger issues?

• How many of my convictions are predicated on something hidden from my consciousness?
• How much of my ‘rightness’ is well, right?

I know I could delve into the study of bias, the concept of open-mindedness, the influence of ego, the authority of experience, and the underlying psychological factors of motivation. But I’ll leave that to you should you so desire.

My point today is simple.

I’ve become aware that control is at best, vaporous. If that’s true, then I should have no problem allowing God to be in control, to trust Him with my life, and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Even as I write those words, I see the battle. Although seemingly insubstantial, Control is as perfectly real as love and perhaps even more insistent. (And now my mind veers toward the battle between Maxwell Smart’s agency named CONTROL and the villains working for KAOS. I know, most of you have no idea what I’m talking about. See “Get Smart”.).)

Since I have discovered a good analogy to explain how to give control to God and yet continue to resist (even though I don’t want to), I think I should spend more time delving into prayer. I’ve heard the Holy Spirit helps us with things like this.

Just for fun, I’ve included Sign Number 2. Can anyone tell me, without a shadow of a doubt, if this coffee mug reads,

1. “Never Give Up. Come back, Roger!”
2. “Never come back. Give up, Roger!”

Maybe this light-hearted question seems frivolous to you, but probably not so much to Robert.