Who Is In Charge Here?

There’s an old joke about the visiting pastor who is very passionate about his message and is roving about the stage limited only by the reach of the long cord running from his lapel microphone back to the sound system. Waving his arms and shouting loudly, he comes very near to the edge of the stage more than once as the microphone wire pulls taut. A little girl on the front row leans over and asks her mother in a panicked whisper, “What happens if he gets loose?”

We like to keep things safe. As long as everything is within our control, battened down and secure, we can rest easily. When something, or someone, seems outside the reach of our control, we grow worried, disturbed or panicked. There is a necessity for order and structure, but we sometimes think that our personal idea of control holds sway over the entire corner of creation in which we may find ourselves. We like to know what to expect and when we can expect it. And sometimes, if we aren’t careful, we expect God to abide by the rules of our own making and refrain from any surprises.

I read a story recently about a little girl named Amanda in Boulder, Colorado who had received a Bible from her church. One member asked to see it, and she replied, “Okay, but don’t open it.”

When asked the reason why, Amanda said, “You’ll let God out.”

Too many of us worry about what God might do if He “gets loose.” We try our best to keep Him “under control” so He isn’t “let out.” But we are mistaken. He’s still in control…always has been. “He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Dan. 4:35b). He does as He desires to accomplish His purpose, and never once has He asked for advice from anyone.

Quit trying to rein in the work of Christ; open yourself to Him with a spirit of surrender and “let Him loose” in your life.


Dustin C. George
Minister to Single Adults
www.sevierheights.org