The Illusion of Control

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Musing on the illusion that we control our lives. We don’t control famine, drought, political forces or Covid-19 at the global level; we can’t control our birth, our death or the words, decisions and actions of others on personal level…

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

Much that is good is beyond our control – the beauty of nature – the mountains, the seas, the green grass, the bird’s song….

The love of a mother for a child, the elderly couple that are still in love after many years. Elvis still sings: ‘I can’t help falling in love with you’.

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Returning to the wisdom of the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 step programme:

1. Admitting we are powerless… our lives have become unmanageable.
2. Coming to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity.
3. Making a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him…

I accept there is much I can’t control; I return control of my life and will to the God I understand, shown by and in Jesus.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!