Losing Control (eleventh in a series)

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Claudia Dickson Greggs

The perceived distance and difficulty of entering fully into the divine world and its life is due entirely to our failure to understand that “the way in” is the way of pervasive inner transformation and to our failure to take the small steps that quietly and certainly lead to it. (Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart, p. 10)

As I wrote in my third and fourth installments in this series, there came a point, about nine years ago, when I realized Jesus was no longer the Lord of my life. Instead, I had been relating to him for quite some time as if he were my “co-pilot” – a savior who was supposed to agree with my decisions and clear away whatever obstacles were in my way. I was no longer following him; at some point along the way I had begun to expect he would follow me.

It was after a miscarriage, a time when I was also exhausted and disillusioned from the effects of trying to minister to others out of my own will power rather than the authority and grace of Jesus Christ, that I came to my senses.  I confessed my willful and prideful behavior and resolved that Jesus would be in charge of my life from that point on. This began my journey in “losing control.” Yet, while I had taken an important first step by recognizing my problem, I had no clue what to do next. Every thought, every instinct and reflex I possessed had been honed to think of myself first and foremost. How was I to put the brakes on something so deeply ingrained and respond differently? It was akin to expecting that a cat could stop stalking its prey.

On more than one occasion I cried out to the Lord, “Help me! As much as I want to, I don’t know how to let you be in charge.” As was typical for me, Continue reading →

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Losing Control (tenth in a series)

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Claudia Dickson Greggs

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. (C.  S. Lewis)

The strange thing about Christianity is that some people will think it odd, or even dangerous, if you do exactly what Jesus instructed his disciples to do and follow him as your Lord and Savior. As I wrote two weeks ago in my post, Losing Control (eighth in a series), some Christians think of their faith as something they add on to their life; it does not remake and reorder their priorities or utterly transform their way of thinking and living. Faith in Jesus is something they have or hold, like an opinion or a hobby. It’s a part of their life, but it does not define their entire life; it does not shape every thought and action.

The Calling of St. Peter and St. Andrew. James Tissot, 1886-94

If, on the other hand, you surrender your will to Jesus, then you are someone who is held by your faith. It is first and foremost in your life and directs and informs everything about you. All other relationships, commitments, interests and obligations are secondary. Jesus is Master of your life, not you, or anyone or anything else.

However, such allegiance is often seen as a Continue reading →

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Losing Control (ninth in a series)

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Claudia Dickson Greggs

It costs a man just as much or even more to go to hell than to come to heaven… (Søren Kierkegaard)

For the past eight weeks I have written about why it is essential for every Christian to surrender their will, along with their habits, longings and way of life, to Jesus. When seen from the perspective of those who are only nominally Christian such surrender may appear to spell the end of any kind of meaningful and appealing existence, instead of the beginning. But the truth is that we only begin to flourish once we’ve made Jesus our Lord.

If we are not yoked to Jesus (Matthew 11:29-30) then we are still yoked to sin. There is no other option for human beings. Either we are living in and through Jesus, with his resurrected life flowing through us, redeeming our sins, restoring us to wholeness and directing and empowering every aspect of our lives, or we are dying, bit by bit every day, ruled by the relentless forces of sin and death. Sin will continue to produce in us prideful, self-centered and self-interested behaviors because, apart from Jesus, we are unable not to sin. We may think we are in charge of our lives, but we are not because we are held captive by sin. And while sinful behaviors are sometimes tolerated and even welcomed by the world, the personal cost, not to mention Continue reading →

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