“I like to drive a manual car, because I have more control”
I remember a friend once saying this many years ago as she reflected on her own personality. She liked to think of herself as someone in full control. But while it is possible to learn how to control a car like a rally driver, it is a delusion to think we can have total control over our life.
We are all used to being able to control so much in our lives. I can control my immediate environment to perfectly match my preferences – light, dark, hot, cold. I can speak to anyone, anywhere in the world. And if I like, I can visit anywhere in the world (up until a few weeks ago!).
But if you look at the news in any week in history, the most ‘in control’ people are clearly operating in an out of control world. It’s like watching a rally car spinning off the road into some long grass.
So, can we do anything?
We can do this: Put our trust in the God who has absolute control.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
(Psalm 121:1-4)
– SAM PURSELL