Do you remember when you first learned to drive a car? If you’re an “old guy” like me, you learned on a manual transmission. Do you remember all the hassle you had in changing the gears without stalling the car? Do you remember being at a stoplight on a steep hill, and wondering how in the world you were going to get your foot off the brake and onto the gas fast enough to keep from slipping back into the car behind you? Do you remember the efforts at keeping the car between the lines, not weaving? Do you remember trying to stop at stop signs and to start when the light turned green without looking like a fool riding a camel? Were all those things important to learn? Of course they were. Somewhere along the line, though, you learned to drive without always thinking about the clutch, about the laws and about keeping the car in the right lane. Those things became a part of you. If they didn’t, you are probably miserable every time you drive a car. If “doing it right” is still how you drive the car, you never enjoy the scenery or listen to music. It takes all you’ve got to do it right. Once driving became a part of you, though, you were free to drive.
If you don’t like the automobile analogy, try one about playing the piano. I was kicked out by several piano teachers because I never got beyond concentrating on the right notes, getting the proper fingering and constantly counting out the time. I never got beyond that to the music. It is one of the tragedies in my life, and I’ve determined not to let something like that happen in my walk with Christ.
I’ve thought a lot about being in control and what it does to one’s walk with Christ.
Let me give you the wonderful passage of Luke 9:57-62:
“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you where you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Yet another said, ‘I will follow you. Lord, but let me first say farewell to those of my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'”
Jesus isn’t teaching that there is something wrong with caring about having a “place to lay your head,” about burying your relatives or about taking care of your loved ones. Jesus is talking about control.
Of course, one isn’t going to let go of the control of anything until one can trust the One to whom one is giving control. And that’s why I’m always saying things like: God isn’t angry at you. He is quite fond of you. He isn’t a child abuser. Go to Him and He won’t reject you. He’s not surprised at anything you do. It isn’t your sin; it’s your stiffness. If you never get any better, He will still love you.
How do I know all that? Well, of course, I know that because the Bible tells me so. I don’t really know it until I test it, though, and I have over and over again. Go ahead and test it.
For instance, go sin so that you have something to repent of and, when you sin, sin boldly. And no, I’m not advocating sin…. because you will anyway. Besides, those were direct quotes from Martin Luther. So, if you’re going to get mad at someone, get mad at him. After all, he’s dead and it doesn’t matter. Then see if Jesus forgives you.
Make a fool of yourself at church. Laugh at an inappropriate time. Dance in a Presbyterian church. Shout “Amen” in the middle of the Anglican liturgy. Admit you’re wrong to someone who really ticks you off. Offend someone with your views. Love someone nobody else can stand. Do something improper. Cuss, spit and….. . okay, okay, maybe that is a bit much. You get the idea. Quit trying to be so right, so good and so, well, in control. You’re covered by the blood of Christ. The stiffness will kill you.
In answer to the little boy’s question as to whether or not his dog would be in heaven. Pastor Cole said, “I don’t know, son. When you get there, whistle and see if he comes.”
I guess I’m saying something like that. You see, you and Jesus can’t both be in control. When I’ve been in control, He still loved me and I was saved but it felt like He was avoiding me. When I clung to my doctrines and my need to be right, good and in control, Jesus allowed me to do that. However, when I decided that I didn’t have to be in control anymore and, as it were, “let the dead bury their dead,” I found that Jesus came and spoke to my heart deeply and profoundly.
And not only that. When was the last time you were hugged by or danced with a doctrine…no matter how true it was?
~Copyright 2002 Key Life Network. Today’s Daily Wisdom is from Steve Brown. His Bible teaching is heard daily on hundreds of radio stations through the Key Life Network. For the frequency of a station near you go to www.keylife.org
