Control
Timing, we are told, is everything. The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. These hoary maxims all share the the idea that we're in control of the clock. Yet you and I know that, though we do are best, there are events that are often beyond our control. An earlier bird might find the worm first. The worm may decide to go elsewhere. The bird might not even like worms!
All of which invites us into the realm of humility, something we need if we're to truly repent and renew ourselves. We need to admit that we're not in charge, that even if we believe we're in control, we're often actually succumbing to an illusion. I think of those times when a great coach like Bill Belichek, expert at running out the clock at the end of the game, watches his carefully crafted game plan, the jealously protected lead, come undone because of an offside player or a fumble. All of a sudden, everything is up in the air. The playbook has to be tossed aside, improvisation is required. Often times, after a few nail biting moments, things work out. Sometimes, they don't. But either way, randomness plays a role. The coach's mastery is, we realize, limited. The good coach knows this; he (or she) is prepared for the possibility that everything will not go according to plan because, try as one might, there are just some things beyond anyone's control.
An openness to limitations is part of the life of faith. By recognizing there are things we can't do, or control, or anticipate, or manage, we open up space for the Holy Spirit to enter into our hearts and lives, to guide us, to prompt us, to nudge us, to cajole us, to cradle us.
All of which invites us into the realm of humility, something we need if we're to truly repent and renew ourselves. We need to admit that we're not in charge, that even if we believe we're in control, we're often actually succumbing to an illusion. I think of those times when a great coach like Bill Belichek, expert at running out the clock at the end of the game, watches his carefully crafted game plan, the jealously protected lead, come undone because of an offside player or a fumble. All of a sudden, everything is up in the air. The playbook has to be tossed aside, improvisation is required. Often times, after a few nail biting moments, things work out. Sometimes, they don't. But either way, randomness plays a role. The coach's mastery is, we realize, limited. The good coach knows this; he (or she) is prepared for the possibility that everything will not go according to plan because, try as one might, there are just some things beyond anyone's control.
An openness to limitations is part of the life of faith. By recognizing there are things we can't do, or control, or anticipate, or manage, we open up space for the Holy Spirit to enter into our hearts and lives, to guide us, to prompt us, to nudge us, to cajole us, to cradle us.
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