Letting Go of Control: Trading Our Will For God’s
“You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.” ~ Jn 5:39:40
Once again, we read about another altercation between Jesus and the law abiding Jewish leaders.
The intriguing part of the debates is that the Jewish people knew their Torah well. They were keenly aware of the prophecies but somehow couldn’t see Jesus fulfilling them no matter what he said or did.
How could they be so blind?
I think I can come up with an answer.
I invite you to consider the following scenario:
- My people have been oppressed and ruled by foreign countries for centuries.
- Most of us are poor.
- Our hope relies on the scriptures prophesying the coming a our Savior so we can finally be free.
- Since King David did something similar, we strongly believe the Messiah will do the same—but better.
- Many scammers have tried to trick us with false miracles and teachings.
- We believe the Chosen People of God deserve justice once and for all.
In this scenario, would Jesus fit my expectations? Let’s see:
- He comes from a tiny town of Nazareth.
- His lineage doesn’t show any signs of wealth and power.
- His teachings seem to contradict the accepted understanding of scripture.
- He has no possessions.
- His group is mostly uneducated fishermen.
- He treats Jew and gentile alike, including our enemies.
- The only thing he has going for him are all those healings we hear about and the sense of authority in his preaching.
It’s difficult to believe such a person could free the Chosen people of God.
In other words, my interpretation of scripture and my history would strongly influence my desire to stop suffering and demand the savior be a figure of power and might that gets rid of my enemies.
But, I don’t have to travel back in time to see examples of such attitude.
- What’s the first thing you do when someone tells you something that doesn’t match your view of the world?
- What do you do when someone in a way that contradicts your perception of them?
- What have you seen raving fans do with evidence against their favorite person?
My first instinct is to become a skeptic and explain things away until I have no choice but to admit I was wrong. That assumes I have enough humility to accept it.
On a bad day, I can be like the Jews opposing Jesus and hold on to my beliefs like an anchor that keeps the ship from moving.
On a good day, I have no plans, live in the moment, and let the Holy Spirit guide my day.
Most of the time, I am in the middle of the chaos created by my ego wrestling with God’s will.
Let us ask for the grace to be willing set our ego aside, and trade our will for God’s.
In peace,
~Juan
