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Jan 07, 2025 06:00am

Let Go of Control

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I laugh every time I think of this story.

My friends told me about a mutual friend who visited Disney World. There was a ride at Epcot called Mission Space. In true Disney fashion, from the moment you step through the entrance, you are immersed in the experience. You and your three comrades approach the screen to receive your assignment from Lt. Dan.

Oh, wait, same guy, different movie.

Gary Sinise explains your roles in this space mission and gives you the final call to board the shuttle.

The four of you step in and find your seat as the pilot, navigator, commander, or engineer. Once strapped in, the ride’s console starts to close in.

If you haven’t ridden it, you’ve just got to picture it with me.

The monitors, the dashboard, all of it starts moving towards you, enclosing you in this capsule. The screens literally feel inches from your face.

The mission is about to begin, and they walk through each role, lighting up the buttons as they explain.

What you don’t know is that this thing is about to go into a g-force, spinning so fast that you believe you are literally lifting off into outer space.

My friends shared that this family had only three people who rode the ride. Another guy joined their group and was in the “space shuttle” with them.

As soon as the dashboard closed in on this guy, he started pushing buttons. They think, “Man, he’s really getting into this role. He actually thinks he is in control here.” That guy is just punching away, never saying a word. So, the thing is doing the countdown; they are about to “lift off,” and the guy is still punching those buttons. Finally, as the force increases, that guy frantically pushes every button he can find and yells, “I want to exit the ride, I want to exit the ride!”

Walk with me from a space exploration to the jail in Jerusalem.

Acts 23:16-22
“But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”
18 So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”
20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.
21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”
22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Paul’s nephew had learned of the plot to kill his uncle, and he ran to the jail to inform him. Roman citizens were allowed family visits, and this was important. Paul tells the guard to take the boy to the chief captain with this news of the plot to kill him.

How did the chief captain respond to the boy when he learns of the plot?

“Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Shhhh. Keep it quiet.

Why?

Well, of course, the chief captain was going to use this to his advantage.

“Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmenfn to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.
24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”
25 He wrote a letter as follows:
26 Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.
28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.
29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.
30 When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.”

Notice something?

How many times did the chief captain say “I”? He was taking credit for everything that was happening. He was manipulating the situation to make it look like he was a great leader.

And that makes me laugh.

He thought he was in control.

He’s pushing those buttons left and right, believing he is the one that has the control.

But we know God was at work the whole time. He alone is worthy of praise for Paul’s deliverance. He allowed this man to be used in saving Paul’s life—for HIS great purpose and will.

Listen, if you’re like me, there are far too many times when you believe you’re in control.

We are punching away at the buttons, thinking we can get us out of this mess, or I can make this or that happen. Meanwhile, life feels like it is spinning too fast and wild, and we realize we aren’t in control and yell, “I want to exit the ride!”

Let go of the control.

Stop trying to push all the buttons.

Sit back and enjoy the ride.

God has a purpose for all of us. He is the Master and Commander, the great Pilot, and He wants to use us for an incredible mission. Will you join Him?

Go to follow.lifeword.org to learn more.