The Cure For Control Freaks

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6)

If you are anything like me, and you really like to be in control, I have a word of comfort and encouragement for you today. To be sure, it isn’t easy to deny yourself and your desires, to mortify your flesh, and to submit to God’s will and timing in your life. We all have a tendency to be a bit like Martha, who not only tried to control her environment, she also tried to control Jesus!

As one of Jesus’ closest friends, Martha seems to have been constantly stressing over the details of daily living, especially when it came to hospitality – which is a good gift from God that we can turn into a bad gift if we believe it is the ultimate gift. Martha was growing more and more exasperated as she was preparing a meal for Jesus and His disciples while her sister Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus instead of continuing with the preparations.

Finally Martha’s frustration boiled over. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” Martha demanded acerbically. “Tell her to help me!” Notice the response from Jesus: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40-41).

Martha was doing a good thing in her hospitality. But her need to be in control would not allow her to shut it down and sit with Jesus. Her controlling nature came between her and the Lord. Yet Jesus never rebuked Martha; He simply told her what is best – Him – and said the best would not be taken away from Mary. Jesus is the cure for control freaks like Martha and me. Luke’s account makes it clear that what we do for Jesus is not as important as what we do with Him. And spending time at the feet of Jesus is the cosmic cure for our controlling nature.

Remember, when Jesus raised you from death to life, you surrendered control of your life to Him. And there is no one better to be in control of your life than Jesus! The more time you spend sitting at His feet, the better you will be able to surrender your time, talent, and treasure to His control for the expansion of His kingdom and not your own.

This is the Gospel.  This is grace for your race.  NEVER FORGET THAT…AMEN!