Control part 3
The reason I think we have so much trouble with the idea of giving up control is that we think we HAVE some control. We think--in a very Old Covenant mindset--that what we do determines what we get. If we do good we'll be rewarded. If we do evil we'll be punished. But when we look at control as the thing that compels us to do what we do--when we look at LOVE as our motivation--then the whole idea takes on a new light. See, we think control is all about setting limits. And there ARE times when love does that. Look at Acts 16:6 (NLT), "Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time." The Holy Spirit prevented the Apostles from going to Asia. But the Holy Spirit was what prompted the Apostles to preach the word in the first place. So it's not all about stopping people from doing things. That's not control. That's being controlling! Remember yesterday we saw that love is SELF control. Control is about knowing and believing the love of Christ so that we can receive and release that love. So we can stay in control, and not go around looking for love in all the wrong places. And that's the big misconception about meekness, too. Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is strength under control. When we think it's all about getting what we deserve--good, bad, or ugly--we completely miss out on mercy and grace. Because mercy is NOT getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you DON'T deserve. And under the New Covenant it has nothing to do with what you do and everything to do with who you are. The Father gives to the Son because He loves Him and it's His good pleasure to do so. Control isn't about ordering people around or making them jump through hoops. Control is about doing what we (really) want to do because now--because of the cross--we are free, and we are able, to do it. I am convinced that people do what they do because of love. Period. Either because they don't know they are loved and they are trying to get it, or because they do know that they are loved and they want to share what they've got with others. But either way it's all about love. Either way we are love slaves. Slaves to sin, or slaves to righteousness. We can't serve two masters, but we DO serve one or the other. We are compelled (or controlled) by forces either external or internal. The world's report, or the Word of God. We can choose to listen to--and believe--either one. But whichever one we believe controls us. Whichever one we believe defines our reality. So in THAT respect we DO have some control. We can listen to the world screaming at us at the top of it's lungs, or we can be still, and know that He is God and listen to the still, small voice deep inside. The still, small voice of God's heart beating with love in our chests. We can let the world push us around, or we can let the love of Christ control us. Compel us. Motivate us. To do what Jesus did (and continues to do) to us. Love as we are loved...!