Does God Want Control?
I recently began reading a book with a group of friends called “Loving Our Kids on Purpose” by Danny Silk. So far it’s been an eye opening, paradigm shifting book that has initiated good conversations between us. One conversation it sparked was on the topic of control. Mr. Silk quotes 2 Corinthians 3:17; Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Then states,
“We sing songs all day long about how God is in control. He does not control you, and neither does your wife, your boss, or your children. No one controls you. As a matter of fact, we’ve been given a Spirit of power, love and self control (2 Tim. 1-7). You cannot blame your life on God…”
One opposing opinion that came from this excerpt is that God can be in control if we give it to Him. This prompted me to do a little research, so I did a keyword and topic search for “Control” in the Bible… I found where the Bible speaks of God controlling animals, the wind and of us controlling ourselves (self-control), but nothing on God controlling us, or us giving Him control. To me, to give someone control means to give them your free will, your choice. Now we can go through life situation by life situation debating weather God was in control or not, but to me, the real question is; Does God want to be in control?? If He created us to be free, if He gave us the choice to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, if He gives us the choice every day to choose Him or to reject Him… why would He want control? It reminds me of part of the script from one of my favorite Veggie Tales shows, A Snoodles Tale. I hope it provokes thought, prayer and maybe even a response;
SNOODLE: But sir, if you made this incredible land,
Can’t you make snoodles obey your command?
NARRATOR: The big one smiled warmly the said to the small,
OLD MAN: A gift that’s demanded is no gift at all.
by Morgan Dietz