Have you ever heard the phrase, "God is in control."? I believe these words with all of my heart. But have you ever thought about this? Though God is in control, he's not a control freak. God's in control - but he's not a control freak!
Whether you agree with this second statement or not, sit with this idea for a moment or two. We've all probably seen people who exercise control in some sphere of life. People's leadership styles vary from person to person and there is no uniform way to exercise control. We've all probably witnessed individuals who we would label "control freaks". And normally, we don't consider the label of "control freak" to be a compliment. Usually, a control freak either grasps for more power than is warranted or exercises their power in an unhealthy or unethical way. Sometimes control freaks don't even have much control or power, they just obsessively pine for it.
There is probably nothing more corrosive than unchecked power and control. And where complete control is made manifest, ego and pride are soon to be corrupted and distorted. But where power is displayed humbly and for the benefit of others, humility and gratitude are normally present. Let's consider an anecdote from Mark's gospel.
"And they came to Capernaum. And when he (Jesus) was in the house he asked them, 'What were you discussing on the way?' But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, 'If any would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.' And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him into his arms, he said to them, 'Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me, but him who sent me.'
"John said to him, 'Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.' But Jesus said, 'Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterword to speak evil of me. For the one not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.'" - Mark 9:33-41 (ESV).
At the root of this story are the sins of unchecked pride and ego, resulting in an unhealthy desire for power and control. Jesus' disciples still believe that his mission entails storming into Jerusalem at the head of an army, driving the Romans from the land, and establishing the long-awaited messianic kingdom. When the kingdom is established, there will be differing levels of power and some roles will offer more control than others. There will undoubtedly be a pecking order, and so Jesus' followers are trying to solidify their place in that order. The disciples still cannot fathom that the Messiah will achieve his victory through service and submission, rather than revolt and the subjugation of others. As the rest of Mark's narrative will demonstrate, Jesus is in control, but he's not a control freak. But the disciples aren't on the same page!
Jesus' character is in keeping with his Father's. From the beginning, God has been in control, but he's never been a control freak. He created humanity in his image, not to live as automatons (robots), but as flesh and blood individuals with the capacity to love and to hate, and the freedom to choose. We were made for relationship with God, and as all of us know the healthiest and best relationships are not rooted in coercion and control, but in freedom, love, and trust. God desired a genuine relationship with humanity so much so that he became one of us in the person of Jesus. He opened himself up to the possibility of rejection and scorn. He chose us, but he didn't force us to choose him. In humility, he became the least, and in the process showed us what love and relationship really look like.
Jesus explains to his disciples that rather than mimicking the Roman Empire or even the Jewish civic and religious leaders, his kingdom is one where the least becomes the greatest and the master is the one who serves. Greatness isn't to be found in pomp and circumstance, but in the openness and innocence of a child.
And Jesus' kingdom isn't based on control, but freedom. John is concerned that some of the acts of healing in Jesus' name are potentially being performed by individuals with less than kosher credentials. But, like his Father, Jesus emphasizes relationship over rules. If someone is connected to Jesus and is acting in his name, the good wrought from those actions won't be overcome by any unorthodox dispositions.
I have much to learn from this story. Like the disciples, I have sometimes sought to be the greatest. At other times, I have tried to control situations and even people. Rather than trusting the Spirit's work in other people's lives, I have in the past tried to police the beliefs and actions of those who were following Jesus on a slightly different path than the one I traversed. But more and more as I mature in my faith, I have discovered that the path of discipleship looks quite different for each and every individual. My job isn't to judge or control, but rather to love, to learn, and to serve. If in humility, I not only serve my sister, but celebrate God's work in her life, no matter what stage of the journey she finds herself on, I will discover far more joy and freedom in the process. And when in the name of Jesus, communities of people further Christ's kingdom in ways that are different than my own tribe of disciples, I won't feel threatened, but empowered. If God's not a control freak, then maybe I shouldn't be either. - Shay
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