The Illusion of Control
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” -Genesis 11:1-4, NIV
“The account provides a striking contrast between human opinion of its self-achievements and God’s viewpoint of such endeavors. Human cooperation, when it is fueled by autonomy and directed toward self-interest, is shown by the story to shallow, impotent hubris.” -Kenneth A. Matthews
One of the striking realities that emerges from Genesis 11:1-9 is the level of control that humanity thinks it has. Their pride filled plans are of course undone by God in judgement. For their part though, they thought they were in control. They were sure of it. Then God stepped in and changed everything. It would have been wild to be an observe to the moment when they suddenly couldn’t understand each other. How humbling to be unable to communicate to other human beings, when you were just so self-assured of your plans together. One statement that always struck me as odd in these verses is God’s remark in verse 6, “…then nothing they plan will be impossible for them.” It is not as odd once one realizes that it is satire on God’s part. His whole response to the grand plans of humanity and their ‘epic’ tower are couched in those terms. He is unthreatened by humanity’s prideful plan and short-sighted autonomy. The reality is that only of God, can anyone say, nothing He plans is impossible. All of this leads me to think about how much I think I control in my life and how much I do not control. What is astonishing and, if honest, a little scary is how much I cannot control. Weather, not in my control. Other drivers, not in my control. Plans implemented by the city in which I live, not in my control. Plans of the state or national government, not in my control. Wars, famines, natural disasters, not in my control. My height, not in my control. My predisposition to hereditary linked disease, not in my control. On and on the list could go, but I think you see the point. There are many things we approach as if we can control them when in fact, they are not ours to control. We may have some influence on these things but, we are often operating out of a false sense of being able to ultimately control or change them. We do this because, we are proud. We do this because, to admit we are not in control leaves us feeling small and powerless. But, unless we reach the point of admitting ALL that we are not in control of, we cannot interact with God or the universe He's made in a way that allows for flourishing. Let me illustrate it in this way: weather. As silly as it seems, I spend a lot of time listening to and staying up-to-date on the weather. I guess I am worried that my home or office will suddenly be outdoors with no heating or cooling. Anyhow, in all my weather watching, I have noticed a strange phenomenon: people attributing the weather to the weather person reporting it. Like they have control over it or influence on it. And as comedic as that seems, it speaks volumes about all of us. Weather people, no matter how long they’ve been on the job, or how accurate their forecasting is, cannot change the weather. Still, we long for the illusion of control. The upshot of this is two things. First, let us all be careful to take stock of that which we cannot control and surrender it to God. There’s a good chance, that if we can do this, it will alleviate a lot of stress for us. How much energy and time is expended on a daily basis trying to cling to the illusion of control? Second, let us all be more diligent in prayer. For in prayer, we have the ear of the One who does control everything. When we pray, we talk to the One who can and does change things when we ask. Energy expended in prayer rather than clinging to our thin illusion of control will change things. Energy expended in humbly depending on God rather than on myself will shape my life in a powerfully helpful way: it will make me more like Jesus.
Questions for Further Discussion/Life Application:
What in your life that is ultimately not in your control is causing you anxiety or fear? How will you more fully embrace your lack of control? How will you more fully trust God’s control?
When you reflect on your story, what significant moments are you able to recall when something, out of your control shaped your life? How does remembering that moment encourage your faith in the present?
What can you do to encourage another Christian to let go of the illusion of control?