Control through Manipulation
The illusion of control in the human life keeps one ever worrying, anxious, and planning for things that inevitably never even come to fruition. So why the incessant mental Rolodexing for the next best option, solution, or avenue to manipulate God to do things the way we "know" they should be done? Frankly, it's our sin nature. Look at Eve, here she was in a paradise like none of us have ever known and she was looking around for the one thing she still didn't have, couldn't have, or hadn't been able to attain. Sound familiar? Of course!
Today, some even call themselves, "seekers," as they are searching for truth. I was a "seeker" before it was in vogue to do so. I sought out all kinds of trouble for myself in search of more…more fun, more attention, more adulation, then someone introduced me to the One who could bring me wholeness, peace, and calm…Jesus Christ. Once I let go of my "seeking" and just set my life before Him and asked Him to come into my life, forgive me of my sins (which were mostly associated with my wayward searching for control of my life), and be my Lord and Savior (so I no longer needed to fulfill those positions in my mind), my life began anew.
Is my life perfect? No, because I am still a human with sinful fleshly desires, but now I have been indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God to guide and direct me as I release my will to the Will of God. God will not force me to live holy, but He gave me the Holy Spirit to be the voice of reason when I start trying to take back control through manipulating circumstances, working too hard to make things happen, and just plain kicking against the goads of life.
Today, some even call themselves, "seekers," as they are searching for truth. I was a "seeker" before it was in vogue to do so. I sought out all kinds of trouble for myself in search of more…more fun, more attention, more adulation, then someone introduced me to the One who could bring me wholeness, peace, and calm…Jesus Christ. Once I let go of my "seeking" and just set my life before Him and asked Him to come into my life, forgive me of my sins (which were mostly associated with my wayward searching for control of my life), and be my Lord and Savior (so I no longer needed to fulfill those positions in my mind), my life began anew.
Is my life perfect? No, because I am still a human with sinful fleshly desires, but now I have been indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God to guide and direct me as I release my will to the Will of God. God will not force me to live holy, but He gave me the Holy Spirit to be the voice of reason when I start trying to take back control through manipulating circumstances, working too hard to make things happen, and just plain kicking against the goads of life.
Acts 26:14 (NIV)
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
What a great testimony! I use to always manipulate. Starting with my mom, then friends, sisters, husbands, bosses and even God. He saw right through me and told me to let go because that's the beginning of living an actual abundant life.
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