Hi Y’all!  I took another breather from The Spotlight, while I wrote a new story series in February called A Small World.  As I was writing and posting everyday, I wasn’t really able to read much in preparation for the Spotlight series.  I’m, however, hoping that I can still keep this up, and I’ve decided on a new time for the series, being Saturdays at 3pm.

Alright, so today’s episode is a spotlight on Christianity and God, and who is really in control of what happens in our lives and our world.  There seems to be a general consensus among Christians that God is ultimately in control, while we must take responsibility for our own actions and inactions.  While it seems most people agree with this in theory, their practice mostly suggest that they think God holds all the cards…and when bad stuff happens, it is God’s will.

Our featured piece today is by a man called John Pavlovitz (I wonder where he is from?).  He blogs at http://www.johnpavlovitz.com, and his tagline is “Stuff That Needs To Be Said” (Cool tagline!).  I follow his posts under my special list, “Alternative Thought”, comprising of those who have different views from me or mainstream Christianity on a variety of issues.  The truth is, I share a lot in common with John, and we probably have more agreement than we realise.  However, our views on homosexuality and the LGBTQ community are polarised, and that seems to be his major ministry.

Even still, I do like a great number of his other articles.  I shared one on Twitter the other day, about WHY THIS CHRISTIAN DOESN’T NEED A PERFECT BIBLE!  That piece truly spoke my mind, as I have shared here on a number of articles.

Anyway, today’s featured article is called CHRISTIANS, STOP TELLING ME GOD IS IN CONTROL!  I generally agreed with the message in the piece, about how we are to be God’s hands and feet to help those in need and those who are oppressed.  But, I’m not sure I completely agree with the notion that ultimately, God is not in control, we are.

Before I say too much, why don’t you take a moment to go read his piece on the matter, and if you like it, do encourage him with a comment, like and share.  And do come back over here and let’s chat on it.  Here’s an excerpt from the article:

There’s a similar refrain I hear from the lips of many Christians these days, whenever the subject turns to the growing dumpster fire in DC and the resulting unrest in our nation:

“Relax, God is in control.”

The words are designed as a conversation stopper; an iron-clad, sanctified mic drop, exempting them from further discussion on the matters at hand and supposedly assuaging all my fears in four simple words. 

The only problem is—it’s not true, at least not in the way they might like it to be right now.

In these days, with so much that is untenable and threatening and worrisome, tossing off a quick “God’s got it” is a subtle bit of heresy…

Alright…  You’re back?  What do you think?  Is it wrong to believe that God is in control all the time?  Or is it just wrong to SAY it to someone who may not believe that, and need you to step in and act on their behalf?  What, if there is any, is the middle ground on this?

I look forward to your thoughts!

Photo credit: http://www.pixabay.com

If you liked this post, you might like THE SPOTLIGHT: ON CHILD ABUSE, CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AND IMPACTFUL CHRISTIANITY

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