"God Is In Control." Really?

 Here is one of the “lies” that Paul Young writes about:

“God is in control.”

Is God in control of our lives, our world?

In one way or another I have thought, and used words to that effect, from time to time.  This is not uncommon thinking within the faith community.

Through the years I have often wondered, as I watch news shows or read the news, if God is actually “in control,” and if so then why is the world such a mess.

Honestly, have asked myself more than once: Can God take control of anythings or anyone?   

And my answer always comes to: absolutely.  But does He?

I do believe that God can create good out of evil.  Job and Joseph both felt that as well.  

I do believe that God can be -- and is -- present for us when we  experience unpleasantness or awful.

I also believe that God does not force faithfulness and/or obedience.

I do believe this all-powerful and mighty God allows for choice.

I also do-not believe that God causes bad, evil or awful.

So then If God is not in control, in charge, then who is?

All honest-- real -- thoughts and question.

Young writes:

“Does God have a wonderful plan for our lives?  

Does God sit and draw up a perfect will for you and me on some cosmic drafting table, a perfect plan that requires a perfect response? 

Is God then left to react to our stupidity or deafness or blindness  or inability, as we constantly violate perfection through our own presumption?

What if this is about a God who has greater respect for you than for “the plan?”

What if there is no “plan” for your life but rather a relationship in which God constantly invites us to co-create, respectfully submitting to the choices we bring to the table?

And what if this God who is Love, will never be satisfied until only that which is of Love’s kind remains in us?” (p. 39)

“Wisdom allow things to grow and unfold.”(p. 41)

It is a great little chapter — a great little book.

More another day.