Dr. Rick Mandl - July 13, 2020
When Losing Control Is A Good Thing
When Losing Control is a Good Thing
Monday July 13, 2020
Hey church family. I want to share with you a story from Matthew chapter 8. In verses 5-10 we read these words, “When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly. Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly, I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
I wonder, have you ever thought about the fact that control and faith can’t co-exist. My need for control actually demonstrates my lack of faith. In that passage I read to you, the Roman officer understood control. He was familiar with being in control: control of others, control of decisions, control of situations, and control of himself. But no amount of control could heal his sick servant. He was out of control, and through faith, he handed control over to Jesus. The officer came to a faith conclusion and gave up control. He recognized that he wasn’t worthy…but Jesus was worthy. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly, I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
My guess is that Jesus isn’t amazed when you and I try to control and fix everything myself. Rather, Jesus is amazed when you and I give up control and by faith, turn it over to Him! Losing Control can be a good thing. Particularly when we’re losing it, because we’re surrendering it to the one who ultimately controls all things. May you and I learn to do that, and in the process grow to have the kind of faith that amazes Jesus.
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