The Chaos Christ

In the movie Get Smart, there are a group of "good guys" that are called control and their enemies that are called chaos.  It is a comedy where both groups are really inept but nevertheless the point is made that the good guys will win and when they do there will be peace and safety.

There is a sense within us that life is good when it is not chaotic--when we feel like we are in control of our lives we feel a sense of peace.  The problem arises, however, when Jesus begins to ask us to trust Him with our lives and we begin to feel that we are now losing control.  At this point we can feel that Jesus is not the God of peace and safety but chaos because my life feels so up in the air.

Trust is certainly not an easy thing. 

A dear friend of mine recently wrote to me expressing something that had touched his heart.  He was reading from a book by Brennan Manning when he came across this quote:
"If our Christain beliefs. . .are not grounded in a shattering, life-changing experience of Jesus as the Christ. . .our witness is worthless.  The gospel will persuade no one unless it has so convicted us that we are transformed by it."

Shattering!?  Is that the kind of God we want to serve?  One who takes control from us?  One who stands before us and asks us to leave our homes and go to foreign lands (Abraham)?  One who invites us to sell everything we own and follow Him (Rich Young Ruler)?  One who asks us to serve Him and then has the audacity to say to us that if we do we will suffer (Paul)?

Just who is this Chaos Christ?  Who does He think He really is?  Is it possible that He really believes that once we accept Him as our Saviour, that He also expects to be considered the Lord of our lives, as though we really don't belong to ourselves any longer but to Him?

Yes, yes, yes and YES!  Jesus tells us that we are His, but not in the sense of just allowing us to "hang around in His presence" but that we are now identified as one who belongs to Him.  He has the authority to tell us what to do.  In 1 Cor. 6:20 Jesus says "I am the boss of you."

If you read a bit about who Jesus is you will find that he is not an evil boss--the kind you dread to see Monday morning at work.  The Bible tells us that He is kind, and loving--wanting to provide for His children and protecting them.  He offers peace and an assurance of a good future.  This doesn't sound chaotic to me--how about you?

Jesus, help us today to see you for who you really are.  For those of us who see you as a chaos-maker, and one not to be trusted, break through with your love and truth so we can get past ourselves and be free in You.

BT