Are you content with your life? Do you feel like you have control? And are the two questions related? Can we be content if we're not in control?

Here's an example; I've been skiing for a number of years now and it's true about the saying that 'ski miles counts'. The reason is partially learning and partially un-learning. What I mean by this is that some things are counter-intuitive. When skiing straight down a hill, we're not in control at all. When we apply some pressure to one set of edges we start to turn, and gain some measure of control. The nearest thing to full control is tight turns at a relatively slow speed, but even then control is only partial.

Do we see life as like that? Do we think we are fully in control of our own destiny?

The commonest form of panic, is when people think they don't have control, they can't so something about something. The Covid-19 virus is an example of this. The world is at a level of fear that is unprecedented in human history.

The world is crying out for someone to be in control.

Well, someone is - God. Here's a few short passages from the Gospel by Luke.

there shall be great earthquakes, and in divers places famines and pestilences; and there shall be terrors and great signs from heaven.

upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

Now that sounds really scary. But it doesn't end there. In fact the good times are following. The next verse reads;

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.

There's plenty of examples in the Bible where hardship is used as a turning point. People tend to look to God when things go wrong. And ignore Him the rest of the time. Now there's people who look to God for help, and there's those who look to God to blame. Revelation has these words;

and they blasphemed the name of God who hath the power over these plagues; and they repented not to give him glory.

It's time to chose sides; do we look to God as a saviour, or do we look to God to blame?

I'd hope the former, as those who try to follow God have this to look forward to;

And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.

These may be difficult times, but God is still in control.