For the month of March, our Learn, Live, Laugh theme has been Meditative March where we've focused on various aspects to the slower, more meditative side of Christianity.

We'll conclude Meditative March this week by reflecting on the issue of control.

I'd like to think that the word 'control' brings up a number of thoughts for each of us, all of which are dependent upon our experience and context- being in control and in the driver's seat, being controlled, controlling destiny, losing control, self-control itself, and so on and so forth. What I'd like for us to sit with is the first thought that I named- being in control and in the driver's seat.

If you had to be honest with yourself, where in your life do you like to be- or try to be- in control and in the driver's seat? In that leadership role you occupy? The plans that you made for the day? What you're going to do with your life? Maybe you like trying to control a situation to get a specific result or outcome?

In my experience, even to this day I'll admit, control resembles me attempting to play God. In essence, I'll say something along the lines of, "I know what's best for me, or at least I have some idea of what's best for me." I can get so driven to a point of trying to control and manipulate whatever the scenario is just to get what I want. Maybe this sounds familiar.

And for what purpose or gain? Do the things we desperately want and desire in life really measure up when we try to have this vice-grip sense of control?

As I've also learned, those who have that desire to control life itself are anxious and afraid. This might be a stretch but think about it. How might control reveal fear and anxiety? I don't know what to expect or what'll happen next. I'm afraid of what's to come. I don't know if I'll like what I see on the other side. What if I don't get what I want? And so on and so forth. The desire to control lends itself to fear and anxiety.

So, what then can we do to loosen that grip on control? What can we do about whatever fears and anxieties pop up?

As Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:7, regarding the care for the flock of God, "Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." Name whatever it is that you're trying to desperately control. Name those fears and anxieties. Name all of these things and give them to the God in Christ because why? Because God loves and cares for us. God loves and cares for us enough to, in this case, invite us to name those areas in our lives we try to control.

In doing so, does this mean we'll get what we want? Does it mean that God will give us what we want? No. In fact, the complete opposite might happen, which is better for us in the long run. I might think that I know what's best for my life, but I truly don't; only God and God alone does. When we try to keep in control, we keep God out of the picture and in the backseat. So, to ask the question again, what are those areas in your life where you try to maintain control? After naming said area(s), what will you choose to do about it? Will you continue trying to keep in control? Or will you cast your anxiety on God because God loves and cares for you?