-Out of Control

Whomp!  Not whomp really, maybe just whoosh.  Down I went at a moment’s notice.  You’re maybe thinking I’m talking about falling on ice.  We certainly have had our share of ice over the past couple of weeks and it would be easy to fall down outside.  No that would be too easy and not much of a story I think.  I passed out.  All of the sudden alert and then voices around me.  I’ll back up a little (I know, you’re welcome).  This week I went to the doctor’s office for a routine blood test.  I’m not getting any younger (I don’t really believe this though, I think I am getting younger) and felt the need to check my cholesterol among other things.  So in I went to the office to have them draw a bit of blood.  In went the needle and out came the blood with no problem.  The kind nurse had me hold a piece of gauze on my arm and about a minute later my head starts to “fog” up.  It’s happened occassionally to me and it’s a sign to slow down and breathe, breathe, breathe… didn’t work this time.  The next thing I know I’m hearing the nurses asking me some questions and I raise my head to figure out what’s going on.  To my recollection I’ve never passed out before – it was a little scary to tell you the truth.We like control and we’re all generally selfish in nature (Not me you say!).  I think it’s odd that during a time of year when we celebrate the birth of Christ we are usually more caught up in the “season.”  We worry about what presents we will get and whether we’ll get the right presents for others.  Will I sound good at the holiday program at school?  Will I get that bonus check from work?  Will I ever be on time for anything this month? 

 I lost control this week and had no choice in the matter.  My body took over (for some reason) and made me reset.  A little scary yes but my body thought it was necessary.  It’s easy to give control when you really have no choice, but to give God control means we have to purposely turn over everything to Him.  During Advent and Christmas we look forward to the savior and put our trust in a tiny baby.  We give control over to something so… vulnerable to our human eyes.  If we were in control that baby’d be born in a 5-star hotel not some animal stall!  That’s our control not God’s plan. 

So this season find ways to let God lead.  Talk to God about what you should give, receive, plan, attend, etc.  If God were to direct me what would happen and what choices would I make?  If I was to direct me what would I do?  Is there a difference?  I hope you don’t pass out with excitement over a Christmas present but understand that God deserves all our praise and thanks this season.   Give God the glory and let Him direct your thoughts, words and actions this month. 

 ”Real true faith is man’s weakness leaning on God’s strength.”  -D.L. Moody