How Men Measure Themselves
Key Bible Verse: God … told them … "Fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over … all the animals" (Genesis 1:28). Bonus Reading: Luke 12:22-24, 30-31
Greg struggles with physical and emotional abuse heaped on him in the past. As a result he's come to believe he is worthless. Instead he believes his worth is measured by the things he possesses. This includes a six-figure job, career awards, expensive cars, a fine home, a beautiful wife, and perfectly obedient children. In Greg's mind these demonstrate to the world that he's okay. Every ounce of strength Greg has is directed toward controlling this perfect world.
But the world isn't perfect. The job is falling apart, he has too much debt, the beautiful wife is fed up with his overbearing control, and the kids are rebelling. On top of that, Greg recognizes that the constant "wanting" never goes away. Though his friends, children, and wife love him, Greg can't receive their love because he fundamentally believes he's unlovable.
Men, to some degree, this is all of us. Control is a big deal for us, reflecting both the good and the bad outworking of our God-placed call to work and subdue the environment. We need to make up our minds that we're going to do it his way, not our way, if we ever hope to discover the real meaning of love.
—Jeff Jernigan in The Power of a Loving Man
5 comments:
Gotta turn it all over...
cas
I agree. I can turn it over when my desire to obey is stronger than my urge to control or worry or manipulate. There's so much at stake as in the devotion today.
Have a great day guys!
Agreed as well.
I think the same can be said for fixing things. That is actually how I came to Christ in the first place. First three years of college, worked hard, studied, etc., things worked out perfectly. Senior year, I was doing the same things, but my life was crumbling around me, I couldn't fix it, had no control over it, and found I was never in control from the beginning. I could repeat the story for the last 5.5 years of graduate school, but I'll spare us.
Thank God for his control and blessings.
crb
the issue of control is one of my primary weak points. in fact, probably my main weak point. i try and control everything as my family and friends know. and it really comes down to a lack of faith and trust.
For me the key is that we do not take credit for ANY of the positives. If I have any of those things listed in the devotion then I can't take credit for them. If I do not take credit for them, then I will not strive for them, and I will not be bound by them, and I won't be scrambling if any or all of it crumbles. Our lives are full of ups and downs. None of which are under our control. We could argue about how much "influence" we have, but certainly we don't control anything. This does not excuse us from being diligent workers, employees, husbands, fathers. It just takes the burden off of us. And, if I am working hard for the lord, so that he can do what he wants under his control, then I can go home in peace, and leave the results to him.
Putting this into practice is a life long struggle. It is for me a constant challenge to measure that my focus is to work for the lord and not for men.indeed a daily struggle.
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