Control

“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”

Romans 11:34

These days, many people are frequently raising the question: "Who is in control?"

Most Christians will agree that whatever situation we face, God is the one who is in control.

Why wouldn't He be?

However, there are assumptions that God has taken time off - some even justify their stance by pointing toward scripture. (Here is an article by Tim Gombis that addresses the question)

Is this crisis really a reason for Christians to become insecure and question God's sovereignty over His creation? Or is this rather an opportunity for Christians to use the security they have in Jesus (our anchor!) to throw the nets out in the storm and reel in the fish?

Is this not the time for Christians to save each and every sheep in danger of being devoured by hungry wolves?

Is this not the time for Christians to bring in the harvest?

Or have we come to believe that when there's a drought, God cannot make it rain?

GLORY

At the end of Romans 11, Paul asks an important rhetorical question: "Who has known the mind of the Lord?"

The fact that nobody (except Jesus) has ever known the mind of God should give us reason enough to sit back and trust that God's calling the shots. Of course, in our rebellious and arrogant nature, we will always think that we can question God and His plan for us and the world as a whole. 

In the Book of Job, we see a righteous man who goes through numerous trials of human suffering. Despite his devotion to God, Job still questioned Him. 

It is only normal in a time of suffering to question God and what it all means. As long as the process of questioning God doesn't lead us away from the unshakeable truth: God is God. 

And God is good. Not sometimes. Always! 

If God is always good, then He must be good in our suffering. This includes the current pandemic.

After all, it makes no sense that God would just suddenly leave for a short time to leave us deal with plagues and other catastrophes. God is either always there - that's the meaning of being omnipresent - or He is never there. 

Even those who encountered God's presence could never fully know His mind and His intentions fully. Isn't that what makes having a relationship with God so special? Every day, we are able to learn something new about who He is and How he works in the world. 

God invited us to participate in His plan. It's not like a father and son who are trying to figure out how to put together an IKEA cupboard. In this scenario, God isn't the father. God is IKEA. 

The Bible, however, isn't an instruction manual telling us how to build God's kingdom. God's word is just that: God's word. 

John Walton said ...

"We believe the Bible was written for us, that it’s for everyone of all times and places because it’s God’s Word. But it wasn’t written to us."

We might not be able to know God's mind, but He has sent the Holy Spirit for us to receive greater understanding of His higher ways.

That is why we give God the glory, because He decided to forgive us for thinking that we know His ways and that our ways are, in fact, better. We showed our pride and He responded with Grace. God doesn't just come in glory. God is glory!

INFINITY

I recently found out that a Formula One steering wheel can have around 35 buttons. That's a lot of buttons for a steering wheel. 

We might think that a Formula One driver is in control of his vehicle. He might have all the buttons, but without communicating with his team, it won't matter. 

The same goes for pilots. Many years ago, some airlines would sometimes let children go up to the cockpit to take a quick look. I remember marveling at the amount of buttons and controls and screens. It's understandable that you would need a co-pilot. 

Are pilots in control? Perhaps they are in control of their airplane, but they need to communicate with the air traffic control tower before landing and before the take-off. 

For us to think that we're in control of our lives is like walking on ice. Only God knows how thick the ice is in some places. It sounds pessimistic, but it is actually a very comforting thought. 

You see, for too long, we've become comfortable with our own entitled ways of thinking about the world and the place we hold in it. 

As we speak, thousands of people are dying due to this virus, and yet there are still people who think this pandemic is a hoax or a joke...or they buy into incredible silly conspiracy theories.  

God has given us our bodies and our minds. It might be like having 35 buttons on a steering wheel. It feels like we have unlimited control. But Jesus came to earth to show us that life isn't about control. It's not about who controls us. It's about who has given us this life and how we can best honour Him with what He's given us. 

Jesus said that He's the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. When you read a story, you don't usually read just the beginning and the end. If somebody knows only the beginning and the end a story, then they're not a very good storyteller. If you're the author of a book, you don't just know the story. You know the stories that inspired the story. 

Now look at your life and the infinite ways in which just one situation could have gone. God is not in control of these infinite outcomes. God is infinity!   

SHIELD

In the Old Testament, there are many characters who faced real, death-threatening scenarios. Many of the Psalms speak about battles and how God is on our side. In Psalm 18, David, especially, praises the Lord for how He trains his hands for battle (Verse 34). 

The verse that recently stood out to me is Verse 30: 

As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.

It is noteworthy that the words of this Psalm are repeated in 2 Samuel 22 - as if it is David's battle ('rock') anthem.  

God's ways are perfect. Why would God ever require our council? Has God ever asked you to shield Him from trouble? 

The best thing for you to realise right now is that God doesn't need you. This may upset your ego, but that's the truth. Make your peace with it. 

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
    my God turns my darkness into light. (Psalm 18:28)

God loves you. Which is why He gave His son, Jesus, to die for you and ensure that you can walk in the light. The pivotal moment in history when it looked like God wasn't in control (the trial & crucifixion of Jesus Christ), God did not simply disappear. He was there and showed up in the greatest way possible. He raised Jesus from the dead and left no doubt as to who was and still is in control. 

For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)

God doesn't need protection. God is the shield! 

The only way to respond to Him is to end with the starting words of Psalm 18:

I love you, Lord, my strength (Psalm 18:1)

May God show you His strength in whatever situation you're facing.