Editorial August 7, 1995 Issue

Having a life that is under control and endless in strength

Russ Gerber

Remember the runaway stagecoach in the old western movies, thundering down the road out of control? We all felt pretty certain that eventually someone would climb from inside the coach or gallop up alongside the team of horses, grab the reins, and bring the stagecoach safely under control. In the fast-track pace of the nineties, however, it seems that a lot of people who might describe their lives as out of control, like that runaway stagecoach, aren't feeling very confident that someone or something will suddenly appear on the scene to get things back to normal.

Technological advancement doesn't appear to have stilled the workday rush that is said to be causing people to feel frazzled and burned out. In fact, some are saying that cellular phones, faxes, and beepers have simply made it easier to bring work into areas where it used to be somewhat off-limits. Now people have the potential to send and receive messages in their homes, in their cars, at the store—even on the beach.

Is the most we can do to gain control in these busy times simply to unplug the fax once in a while, or take a long walk in the park? Such things certainly can be helpful by giving us moments of quiet time. But in those quiet times we still have to choose what will occupy our thought. That's the key. And when we stop thinking about the stress of work and instead use the time for sincere prayer to God, a remarkable thing takes place. Control is restored to our lives. Not merely the feeling of personal control that comes from taking command of a few spare moments in the day. Far more significant, what is restored to our lives as we worship God is a clearer sense of His perfect, ceaseless love and control over all His creation.

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