Just a thought by coppi

“The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free; free to sing their own songs, speak their own languages, dance their own dances…….” Henri Nouwen 

One definition of control:   To order, limit, or rule something, or someone’s actions or behavior: If you can.  I have been in control situations, and I am sure I have  control in my behavior.  When we are not in control, one thing is for certain. God is always in control. The Bible teaches us through various scriptures how there is nothing beyond the control and will of God here on earth. He controls leadership even when they aren’t submitted to Him.  

I am a Christian, but I am also a human being.  I had a friend years ago, who wanted to know more about my walk with Christ, and asked if I would open my home for Bible teaching. I did.  I had many excellent Bible teachers come through my home and share wonderful teachings of God’s word. This went on for three years.  Many of my golfing and bridge players would come. My friend wanted to keep it small – just among us. It never happened, because that to me was wrong.  I guess I became under her control as what I should be as follower of Christ. I felt smothered and I wanted to be free to enjoy life. She wanted me to be shackled under rules and regulations- I grew up under that and did not want to go under it. Anyway, I wanted to be free to sing my own song, speak my own language, and dance my own dance. She did not like my decision and told me so. I loved my friend, and being a sensitive person, and a people pleasers, my life was in a mixed-up way. I finally turned everything over to Jesus, and let him handle it.  Truthfully, it wasn’t an easy break; I would have handled it differently.  God’s ways are not my ways for sure.  Today, I look back at that time in my life.  I went through a lot, but I am beginning to understand the love of Jesus, and learning to dance my own dance.