It’s become pretty apparent to me that while I keep getting older, I’m not necessarily getting any wiser. Lately I’ve been facing some hard life issues that have caused me to be more thoughtful and reflective, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve really made a lot of stupid and avoidable mistakes in my life. Sure, as the supreme ruler over my own life, I’ve managed to stumble my way through it, but I’ve got to believe that it could have been so much better. Most importantly, I wish I’d have done less collateral damage to my friends and family. If only I would listen more to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
I do a pretty good job of telling him I want him I want him to be my Lord and King, but then I always seem to be wrestling control back from him. Sure, when times get really hard I seek him out – with all of my heart, soul, and body! But once the valley times of life start to slip back to what I think is a manageable level, I figuratively shoulder him aside and take back over. “I’ve got this,” I pretend.
It’s not really that I think I can do a better job than Him, I just don’t like not being in control. Ask my wife if you don’t believe me; I like to be behind the wheel of whatever vehicle I’m traveling in. I might let you fly the plane if you’re a good pilot, but “don’t make me come up there!”
The fundamental problem is this; I just don’t make a very good king. And while I’ve been busy trying to be the king, I’ve pretty much bungled my real job of being a good father, husband, brother, friend, employee, and even a soldier for, and servant of, the one true King.
I say all of that to say this; it’s never too late to give him rule and reign over your life. Sure, He might have work with you to do some serious repairs to the swath you tore through on your way to get to this point, but contrary to what some believe, life is an eternal journey and he’s got the time as well as the skills to see you through. After all, he is God (just saying). So speak the word, say the prayer; and I recommend from my own messed-up experiences – say it daily. “Jesus, I want you to be my King. Forgive me for trying to do it on my own and making a mess of it. Help me to surrender to you the control I never really had anyway. Be my King.”
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2nd Corinthians 5:17 NLT)