This morning I read a story in the paper about a Navy commander who has written a book on leadership. The article included a picture of the author with this quote
in big letters: “It’s all about controlling your own destiny.”
So I thought to myself, I
would really be doing a great service to the readers of my blog if I told them
how they, too, could control their own destiny. Even without reading the
commander’s book.
So here’s how to control your own destiny:
The white space is a little bit of sarcasm. Because there is
no “how to” that will enable you or me to control our destiny. The idea of literally “controlling
your own destiny” is a joke. Like an ant looking at a
mountain, and declaring, “One day this will all be mine!” Words like delusional,
grandiose, and inflated self-importance come to mind. Only God can control destiny.
You and I can barely control a sneeze, let alone a destiny.
Now of course people probably don’t mean it literally. Maybe it only means, “Stop playing the victim
and blaming other people for your lousy life. Make choices that will move you
toward your goals.” That’s good advice. But it's a long way from the lofty claim that you control your destiny.
Our Christ is the One who truly controls the destiny of all
things. Hebrews says of Him, he upholds the universe by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3b). Submitting
to Him may seem like the opposite of control. But placing your destiny in the
hands of Someone who is infinitely wise and powerful, and who is absolutely committed
to the blessing of His own, is the best way to take responsibility for your
life.
