We've been studying Genesis, as you may or may not remember, this year and we are in the home stretch for finishing the book. It's been a wild ride, to say the least. Last night my deep thought from the mind of the Funki Planet was as follows:

We spend a lot of time in life trying to figure things out and then adjust ourselves to it. Think about when you move into a new house or go on vacation you always have to figure out how the new (or different) oven cooks. Fast, slow, hot, not hot enough and then you make adjustments (usually after an undercooked or overcooked meal!)

As a fisherman I always have to make adjustments on the river. I try a fly and if it doesn't work I tie on another and go through the run again, change up my drift speed, try to reach a little farther out with my cast and constantly adjust to the changing air and water conditions.

Think about driving across town. There is always a new driver in front of you, you have to adjust to their speed, stopping distances, foot feed off the line, etc. Then they turn off and there is someone new in front of you. You have to adjust all over again. Every day is a series of small and large adjustments.

Life = Control. There is a constant battle that we wage to stay in control, to stay on top, to keep from tripping, falling (just think about walking) adjust, adjust, adjust.

Now take a look at Genesis 43. Joseph's brothers return home with grain for the clan and all their money but without Simeon, who is still in jail in Egypt, and tell Jacob / Israel that they can't go back and get more grain or their brother without taking Benjamin. Benjamin is Joseph's blood brother, Jacob / Israel's most treasured son and the youngest in the family.

Watch the progression here - first, Jacob / Israel begins hemming and hawing, blaming his sons for even mentioning that they had a brother, then Judah offers his own life up if anything should happen to Benjamin, finally Jacob / Israel makes an elaborate plan that involves best fruits, a little balm, a little honey, spices and nuts (pistachios and almonds to be exact), double money and his youngest son Benjamin. His last words are "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!" He complains, he gets a back-up in Judah, he elaborately plans and only then does he finally surrender. CONTROL!!

Now I don't know if I can say that this is the best way to go about it, but I do know that I spend a lot of time complaining, looking for a back-up and laying out detailed plans. You should come drive with me sometime. I get behind some lame driver and complain, look for an alternate route and then think of all they ways I can get away from this irritation on four wheels. I think of all the other streets I can take, even drive out of my way, just so I don't have to follow him or her. I can assure you that I very very rarely surrender and follow quietly. If I do it means I'm within feet of my destination (but I'm still complaining on the inside!!) CONTROL!!

How often do we go through life like this with God? We ask Him to bless us or show us what He wants us to do, then we complain about the circumstances, look for a backup in case He doesn't come through on our timetable and make elaborate plans to make Him love us. We go to church 6 Sundays in a row, read our bible for a week straight, pray for starving children, give a beggar a dollar or two, say nice things to our siblings, our spouses....you get the picture.

But you can never adjust enough to control God. This is a hard pill to swallow. He is so big, so powerful, so faithful that we can never figure Him out. Just about the time we think we've got it He swerves left and we dodge right. Right off the cliff in most cases.

This got me to thinking. Am I in control or is God? I don't have an answer to be honest with you. I feel like I'm currently in a position of trying to surrender first then being available for His leading, but I don't do a very good job of it most days - I constantly find myself adjusting,
adjusting, adjusting to that I can outmaneuver Him. It doesn't work all that well actually.

So, where are you? Let me know.