.jpg)
img source: http://www.homeservicesunltd.com/fencing/
Many people have spent most of
their lives securing their world, building fences around their heart so that
life is smooth-sailing. They spend much of their time every day making sure
everything is in place and none will fall apart soon. Nothing wrong with
protecting one’s self. In fact, this is one natural instinct of mankind - yet,
if the act has placed an obstacle for God to intervene then such goal, however seemingly
normal, is only rooted in fear, pride and disbelief.
Too much craving for control is
synonymous to mistrust in what God could possibly do – not only to the
circumstances of our lives, but to our hearts as well. It is saying NO to God’s
invitation to come to him those who are weary and burdened and He will give
them rest (Matt 11:28). It is saying NO to the Spirit of God whose presence
could give peace, change minds, spark wisdom, inspire a thought and affirm one’s
worth. This world has placed so much
emphasis on façades and many have put up a pretty and happy front yet deep
inside are longings, loneliness and confusion. We live in such a broken world that
people try to make things happen to make their lives look normal.
I have watched Episode 1 of the series,
the Desperate Housewives. One character there named Bree is a control freak, though
everybody knows it except her. She’s also an alcoholic but she would just
attend AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) sessions to prove that she was being a good
parent.
Most people in the world are like
Bree. They go through life controlling facades. They tend their gardens well;
their house is clean and they are even known to be “good” neighbors. But inside
their homes are broken lives and relationships. What Bree is guilty of is
pride. She has shielded her heart from vulnerability – and if I may say from God’s
desire to touch her life. I wonder if someone has ever told her about Christ –
about His love that changed many lives for the better, including mine. The sad
thing about people like her is their unawareness or denial of their problem.
We could only secure ourselves to
the extent that we know best but life will always be uncertain. There will always
be sink holes, confusing crossroads and sad events that seem useless. Yet until
we relinquish the control of our lives to God, the giver of real security then
none of these things will make sense. Until it all boils down to God and His
plans, then everything will boil down to nothing and unless God alone is
enough, then nothing will ever be enough.
