Control, to be or not to be that is the question!

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The whole idea of control is an interesting one - we need to feel we're in it yet don't relish the idea of being 'controlled'. It's good to set targets, goals to get things done and for the main that's cool because goals are helpful for time management and our sense of achievement. However as I've taken some time apart recently I've become aware of the danger of being so keen to bear fruit, be on target and productive we can strategize our world to the point of overload. The devil loves us to take ANYTHING to the extreme even good things. Because it's in this place we are certain to fail! The very structures we set up to keep control (e.g. prayer lists, religious formats, being on top of the ironing, or rota's) can become a block for the Holy Spirits agenda. There is a whole philosophical debate solely on the topic of control and if this is real or imagined which opens up way too many questions to deal with here. But let's think about how control relates to us; where are we within the meshing of our free will, our planning, meeting God's Sovereignty?

Flip I really don't make things easy for myself and first thing on a Monday morning too... Well the bible clearly tells us we have free will, (Gen 1:26) we have the power to say yes or no to all sorts of stuff. However God has the overarching authority in what happens anywhere and with anything (Jude1:25). We can choose how we will respond to life and work with God or without Him, it our choice. But our choices can't detract from His Sovereignty. I believe the Lord allows us a healthy sense of agency as we plan and work out our lives in step with Him. Proverbs (16:9) sums it up nicely we walk but the Lord positions our steps.  God is eminently practical; He knows we walk with a wobble and that if left to our own devices we'll go wonky. So He places guidance to help us get the balance between our need to feel in control and His overriding control right. He tells us to Rest (Mathew 11:28) when we're tired, He tells us to work hard after that rest (Col 3:23) He tells us not to worry but to cast our cares on Him (1Peter 5:7). He tells us to take responsibility for our own sin and not to Judge others ( Math 7:3-5) He tells us to forgive (Math 6:14).I guess for me to be in a place of productive peace is what I'm aiming for this year. I love to read your comments so do let me know how you feel about the whole idea of control.

Hugs Ruth x