(THIS WEEK: Control.)
The paradox of control is that when life is released to God, it is most fully in control.
There, that’s it. Just remember that. The rest herein are details…
Simply picture some guys behind very complicated computerized boards at a play. They are fiddling with all of these buttons.
These men and women are in charge of sound, lights and special effects. They have painstakingly rehearsed this show dozens of times.
To make sure everyone is literally on the same page, the stage manager has got their ears…literally. He’s cuing everything through a microphone directly into their headphones.
The audience is clueless to this incredible interplay. They laugh, cry, clap or all three simultaneously at the overall impact of the play.
“All the world’s a stage” and we are like the actors and the audiences. We do our part. But there is a grand stage manager and He’s orchestrating some of the most complex - and sometimes seemingly bizarre - effects behind the scenes.
Some of us would rather have the stage manager’s script or even his role so we know what’s next. The trouble is that the show would be a dud if we were constantly running backstage telling him what to do.
In fact, we might hear the rest of the audience yell at us to sit down, shut up and enjoy the drama entitled “Paradox.”
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: Releasing control to God feels out of control for some. But those who have had initiation and practice in this area find that surprises don’t have to be all bad and white-knuckling really doesn’t help us get a grip on life.
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the [Stage Manager] Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) [Editor’s brackets.]