Out of Control?
The bull was out of control.Our family was at a rodeo in Colorado. Grandboy Aidan had just made a try at “mutton busting”—riding a sheep. He lasted about three seconds, but it was fun and he got a cowboy hat.Bull riding was next. And the bull coming up was wild. He tried to climb out of the chute. He smashed the cowboy into the wall. The gate flew open and he was a contortionist. The cowboy lasted about one second, and he and all the handlers scattered to escape the angry bull.Out of control.Sometimes life, or family situations, or financial needs seem overwhelming. We feel out of control. We can’t help or stop or change things. We can’t control them.It is good when we recognize this, for then we will hopefully turn to El Elyon, the Most High God.The literal meaning is “God is the high one.” Synonyms would be sovereign and ruler. In other words, He is in control.This name of God appears throughout the Old Testament, but most often in the book of Daniel. Here we read the story of Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty ruler of the Babylonian empire.Though he acknowledged the power of Daniel’s God, he still believed he was in control. Thus God’s word to him: “You will be driven away from people and will live with wild animals…Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men…”And that is what happened. After seven years of living as an animal, the King looked to heaven and was restored. He said, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just…”Where is your life out of control?Lost a job? A child on drugs? In foreclosure? A cancer diagnosis? Or just myriad small details adding up to one big mess?Then it is time to acknowledge that, in reality, it is out of control. And to turn to this Most High God who is, in reality, in control. No surprises, no indifference, no “oops” for Him. He knows. He cares. He is able.His name is a promise. You can depend on Him to be in control.This powerful God has invited you to bring all the confusion and pain and lostness to Him. He says, “Come. Let’s talk.”Here are some possible things to talk with Him about:
- Help me to believe the you are in control and you can bring good from this chaos and confusion.
- I need wisdom to make wise decisions toward some possible solutions.
- I could really use some peace.
Add some more of your own:4.5.This post is one of a series from His Name Is a Promise: Praying the Names of God.c 2011 Judy Douglass