Control

I titled this entry "control" and yet I start with a verse about "faith": "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

My nature is to want to control things, control outcomes, the end game. I want certainty, to minimize risk, to quantify the upside. To put it bluntly, I want to know that my efforts will produce "x" and I control it.

Control is quite a joke. Of all people, as Christ followers, we ought to know that we control one thing -- our character (how we respond to circumstances) and the development of it. The results, however, are not of our doing. Consider for a moment:

Joseph: Sold to slavery, accused of rape, put in prison, and yet, "while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him." (Gen. 29:20-21).

Job: Job was "blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." And, he looses his children, wealth, and his wife (at least her support).

There are countless other stories but the thread that we will see is that these ancients live by faith. The faith that while the outcome is not know the DECIDER of the outcome is known. They had faith in the Person through the process.

Now, if what I have communicated is true, then our goal should be character development. Paul put puts it this way in Romans 12: "2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

In Colossians he says, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

In Eph. 4:22 he says, "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds."

The world SHOUTS Control the outcome
God whispers Trust the Person

Here's what we know, it could all be wiped away by a tornado, flood, fire, accident, or any other act. But, if we focus on transformation to Christ then our character will reflect God's and the results will ultimately be His. We also know that we really control nothing but our character.

Paul used strong words re our sinful nature "death" ad "put off," some questions:

1. Does your interaction with employees reflect God's grace and mercy?
2. Does your interaction with clients reflect God's care for them?
3. Is your humility evident to all people?
4. How's your anger?
5. Is there something different about your business negotiations from the world's?