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As we discussed this past Sunday, rather than faith and prayer being aspects of having a trusting relationship with God, they can all-too-easily be reduced into being a system we attempt to work, to gain a degree of control in our broken world. Where we think:
If we have enough faith, God will answer.
If we pray the right prayer, God will respond.
If I follow the right rules, God will bless me.
This is when we equate having faith with certainty. And so, we try to make ourself believe whatever it is we think we need to believe… because if we truly believe with all of our hearts, this is how we then gain access to the blessings of God. But if we are honest, what we are really after is control.
Faith is about trust, not control.
When we try to use our faith to gain control, we are missing the whole point. Faith is not a formula. Faith is not about working a system. Faith is not about having control. Rather, faith is about trust. Faith is about putting our trust in God because we are not in control.
If we are in control, there is no need to trust.
We often try to gain control because we are afraid. We are afraid of what could happen to us, so we seek after a system we can work to secure the blessing and protection of God. Much of religion is about giving people a sense of control in an uncontrollable world. But, like it or not, we are not in control. However, even within this very chaotic and broken world, God invites us to put our trust in Him. Faith is about a relationship.
Moving from religion to relationship.
Jesus shows us what it looks like to trust God to the very end. Jesus did not work a religious system to get the outcome He desired. Jesus did not pray the right prayers or conjure up enough faith to control God. Jesus cried out to God and wrestled with God. And then He trusted God.
So may we see that faith and prayer is not about gaining control, but that it is actually about relinquishing control and choosing to put our trust in God.
May we walk in the Image of God this week!
Arnie
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