15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
There is a wonderful freedom when we realize that we are not in charge of our lives. So many people have an inflated view of their own importance. They have been singing their own tune for so long, they think it is the only song ever sung. We all know people who are self-absorbed. Their world is so small that they fill it with themselves. A healthier view of self recognizes our limitations as well as our potentials. This kind of view sees both our weaknesses and our strengths, and the strengths of others, including God’s. So many things are out of our control. Look at what has happened to the world economy in the last several years. I know I certainly did not control what was happening. Look at the weather. Global climate has been flat for the last 13 years, despite the Warming folks pushing to make it get hotter. I don’t control that, do you? How is your physical health? Are you able to control the viruses attacking your body? There are some things we can do in each of the realms, but our role is limited. We can take control of our personal finances, living below our income. We can be responsible citizens of the Kingdom and use the resources of the earth responsibly. It is OK to recycle! It is OK to live with last year’s model for a few extra years. Or even better, live with it until it can’t be repaired anymore. We can all turn back our thermostats in the Winter to save resources and money. But to get an inflated idea that we can really control these things is ridiculous. One good volcano eruption can cool the planet for decades. We have no control over that. We have an important but limited role. We need to come to grips with that reality.
The Arnold Journey 