Out of the Blue: We're Never in Control & It's Okay!

 “The wind blows where it will; you hear the sound of it, but you do

not know where it comes from or where it’s going. So it is with

everyone who is born from the Spirit. – John 3:8 REB

For some curious reason, it’s comforting when we convince ourselves we are in control of things. It's odd because scripture and experience remind us that we’re virtually never in control- not really. If we have seriously put our trust in our Creator God, it should be a lot more comforting to know that he is in absolute control. We’re simply in his hands.

Consider the words of Christ in John 3:8. He reminds us that none of us control of the wind. Then he adds that people born of the Spirit are like that. In other words, our comings and goings are directed by the same One who mysteriously directs the winds

Now think about this:

• Any good teacher will tell you we can’t really teach students. We simply create circumstances and some learn, others don’t. We can’t make learning happen. We don't know how it happens.

• The world’s most experienced gardeners will assure you they can’t make anything grow. They plant a seed and create ideal conditions. That’s all. The plant has to do it … or it doesn’t. Time again and again, the plant knows what to do.

• Ask a creative person how he came up with an idea or the solution to a problem. Most often you’ll be told, “I thought and thought and thought…. Then it just came to me from out of the blue!” There’s no region of the brain called The Blue. Where did it come from?

• Most recently, researchers have confirmed that your brain actually makes those "conscious decisions" before you are aware that "you" have made them!

Think of all the things in your life that happen without your direction. Your heart keeps beating, in spite of the fact you never turn any dials or ask Siri. Your lungs expand and contract without your involvement. Your other organs do all the things they’re supposed to do even though you can’t explain or even understand what they’re doing.

Neuroscientists suggest you and I only make active decisions about .5% of the things our bodies decide to do every day. That’s right. Some 99.5% of your daily activities happen despite the fact you’re distracted, or sleeping, or watching some mindless reality TV show!

You and I typically devote our .5% to things that stop hunger pangs or keep us amused, and God has made provision for all the other things that keep us alive and healthy.

Two Takeaways:

1. When life throws you for a loop and you don't know what will happen next, take a deep breath and relax. Remind yourself that God is always on the case and you generally aren't.

   
   

2. Do things that acknowledge your total reliance on God's Providential care.

The amazing Book of Revelation depicts a loving God who is unfolding his final plans for life on Earth. It’s important to read the rest of the Bible as well, but Revelation is the prophetic book that dramatizes the fact we’re not in control and that’s good. Because our loving God is.

I often encourage people to read the Book of Revelation one chapter a day. It won’t even take a month. Find one idea in each chapter that speaks to your heart. Then remember this: it’s okay if some things go over your head. They can still speak to the soul that keeps you healthy and alive even when you don’t understand what’s going on.

For more biblical thinking like this, check out TimothyFloydAuthor.com. For insights into Revelation, you might enjoy his new book, The Epic Life: Revelation, Resistance, and Revival, available wherever you buy your books.