Posts Tagged: running my own life

“What I Can Do Better than God”

On May 24, 2021 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

I have been struggling with the idea of surrendering to God here of late. It seems as if everything I read or hear is asking me to give up every attempt to be in charge. Even the bone spurs in my right heel are screaming at me about surrender.

Also, I began rereading an old book, published in 1952, called The Christians Secret of a Happy Life. You’ll never guess what the book is about. Okay, I’ll tell you. It is about surrendering your entire self and life to God. I was hoping that the “secret” would be something else.

So, I whined to my significant other, “You know, I don’t like the idea of giving everything over to God.” She shot back with an exceedingly helpful question. “So, what do you think you can do better than God can?”

Ouch! They say that truth hurts. And they know what they are talking about—whoever “they” may be.

As I understand the Bible, humankind has wanted to be in charge since shortly after our creation. I don’t think that it has worked out very well. Since I am human, I also participate in this nonsense.

But my wife’s question keeps echoing in my mind. What can I do better than God? Why am I afraid to surrender everything to God? What do I think God is going to do that is not precisely the right thing? Wouldn’t I want those “God things” to happen if I had a lick of sense?

And why not try it, in any case? After all, I haven’t done such a hot job of running my own life. Ruining it, maybe; but not running it. Maybe, just maybe, God would do a better job.

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“My ‘Controlling’ Partner”

On June 11, 2020 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

I used to run my own life. It was great fun to run it. It was so much fun that I tried to run other people’s lives as well. Yes, it was great fun!

At least, it was fun until I ran my life into the ground. And, of course, no one ever messes up their own lives without also messing up the lives of others. When there is damage, there is always collateral damage.

Finally, when there wasn’t much left of me, I turned to God. At first, I offered God a 49% share in my life. I figured this was quite generous. The operation was bankrupt admittedly, but .  . .

However, God drove a hard bargain. Apparently, God wanted to be the controlling partner. After a bit more despair, I decided to offer God 51%. I had done such a lousy job of managing the chaos of me! What did I have to lose?

To my great shock, God rejected this offer as well.

And so, the negotiations continued. I kept offering more, and it was never enough. When I got to 80%, I saw the handwriting on the wall. It was only too clear: He wanted me to turn the whole enterprise of me over to Him, lock, stock, and Daryl. He would run the business day to day. I would be His employee.

To the surprise of no one, I balked. No, that’s not true. I didn’t balk. I kicked and screamed and banged my head against the floor like the four-year-old that I was.

Meanwhile, the offer was still open. By the time I decided to sign the contract, there was hardly enough of me left to hold the pen. But hold it I did, and I scribbled my signature. A feeling of resignation that was almost a feeling of relief swept over me. Almost relief. Not quite.

And then, before the ink had even dried, my new Controlling Partner spoke words that I did not want to hear. “Every day, you will need to sign this contract again. Sometimes, you will need to sign it several times during the day.”

There are days when I sign the document—sometimes grudgingly, sometimes eagerly. When I sign the document with my obedience and trust, I have a good day. When I throw in love as well, I have a really good day.

And when I don’t sign the document? You don’t want to know!

By the way, I think the same offer is open to you as well, dear reader. My Controlling Partner has very deep pockets, and an even deeper and very kind heart.

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