Control

"The Last Judgment" by Michelangelo

Matthew 24:40-44 (NIV)

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.

Two women will be grinding with a hand mill;

one will be taken and the other left.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Most of us human beings manage to make our way through life by assuming that we pretty much are in control of things, and know about what's going to happen in a given day.

And, most of the time, we manage to live with the illusion that we're right.

But as long as we're really "in control," God can't be.

We have to give up, and admit that we need to be dependent on the one who has made us and loves us. Wisdom admits how much it doesn't know.

The owner of the house in Jesus' parable didn't know at what hour of the night the thief would come. If he had, then he would have been ready. Of course. Then, he could have controlled the outcome.

But there's a lot we don't know. And that's ok. In fact, it 's the only way that God's grace has a chance to work in our lives.

What's the difference between those two who were plowing their field side-by-side or working at the hand mill?

One was taken while the other was left...and I think that one had learned to trust God and be open to his power, while the other had clung to the illusion of control and self-suffiency.

Today is a good day to learn to turn loose, like a child taking its first steps toward a parent. Keep watch and be ready for the turns that the divine drive may make on this path of life.

Prayer: Father, we pray that you would make us watchful for the times and places today when the presence of Christ may show up in our lives.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: (No blog) Psalm 122:5-9

Worship this week at SOTH: Let's keep our Advent momentum going this week with some great worship services and Sunday School for kids, youth and adults.

This week's scripture for Sunday is from the first chapter of Luke. God sent the angel Gabriel to speak to Mary about the impending birth of Jesus. Her response tells us so much about how we can find joy in life and especially at Christmas.

"Finding the Joy of Christmas" this Sunday at SOTH: Worship at 9 and 11 AM.

Sunday School at 10:15 "Heartshapers" for kids (age Pre K through 5th grade): this curriculum has gotten off to a wonderful start, with great teachers and fun, Bible-based lessons each week!

Youth Sunday School: Ages 6th-12th grade with Jeff Murfree, from the Student Life Bible Study

Final Sunday installment of "The Frazzled Female" women's study @ the Ranch. A new women's study is forming and will begin in January.

"Seekers" class open to everyone, each Sunday at the Ranch, 10:15

Pastor's Advent Study, "Finding the Joy of Christmas" in the Sanctuary, 10:15

We'll see you there! Adam