But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5).

You want it. But you don’t always get it.

You try to take it. But then you lose it.

And just when you think you have it, things get out of it.

Control.

I want control.  I’m one of those people. I try to take control.  But even when I think I’m doing everything to stay in control, somehow things get out of control.

I’ve even tried to orient myself around that age-old aphorism, “Control what you can control”.  And you know where that gets me? Certainly not in control!

The world has me convinced that if I just take control, whatever that means, I can take back my life and live happily ever after.  Paul’s letter to the Ephesians makes me realize that I’m reaching for, or hoping for, or trying to get something that really doesn’t exist.  I was not created to be in control.  

Paul reminds me that God has made us “alive with Christ.”  We’re “raised up with Christ.”  God “seated us with Christ.”  Jesus gives me something so much better than control.  Jesus has given me a new, resurrected life through him.  Jesus is not a part of my life.  He is my life.  

Following the celebration of the resurrection this Easter, I want to see and live as if I’ve already been resurrected through Jesus.  I want to see myself as a person with purpose. Not to wrestle false control from this world, but to work in this world for God’s purpose.

However, I’m still living in a fallen world, and those challenges I’m trying to control aren’t going to magically disappear.  My work, my family, my relationships, or my community is not something I should seek control over.  These are all where places Jesus is calling me to seek God’s purpose.

I’m alive, raised up, and seated with Christ. I am opening myself to let the Spirit work through me for God’s purpose.  And while God’s purpose might not be completely revealed to me yet, I know in his Kingdom mercy, love, peace, and justice will shine. So, I know that my purpose at work, with my family, in relationships and my community starts there.

And that alone makes me know God is in control, and I have purpose.

Join me in making a list of things you’re desperate to control in your life.  Reflect on why you never seem to get or keep control.  Now take that same list but reframe it. As one who has been given new life, ask Jesus: “Help me find God’s purpose here.”