Letting Go of the Chisel (Controls)

 So, yesterday one of my interns from this summer, who is currently in the Bronx, sent me a link to a video that she thought would be beneficial for me.  She had seen my resolutions posted as my facebook cover photo and though this skit kinda went along with it. After watching it 3 times I was inspired by a few sections of the script and wanted to record/share my thoughts about them all.  The link is here for you to watch first if you wish. http://skitguys.com/videos/item/gods-chisel-2008

Each section will begin with the text followed by my commentary.  Hopefully, what I am saying it clear and makes sense.

Eddie(as God):  Alright, are you going to talk or can I chisel? Which is it going to be- talk, chisel, talk, chisel?

Tommy: No, no, no, no! Chisel!

Eddie: Most of my children like to talk.

Tommy: Not me. Bring on the chisel!

 To everyone that wants God to be in control, comes the doubt of giving up ALL of ourselves to God and stopping to listen.  During times of change we want to talk to God, give him advice of where to chisel, and be the leader of the forming into his masterpiece.  Instead, we should have a conversation with Him, one that is two-way. Conversation involves talking, listening, and silence as responses are formulated. Sometimes, we just need to let God do His think while we are flexible and mailable for His work.

Eddie: Here we go. You have a lot of anger (he hammers the chisel on Tommy’s

arm then begins to move slowly around behind him), and some pride

(he chisels again on his back), you compare yourself to others instead of

me (he chisels again on his back)…

Tommy: Ow…

Eddie: …you’re lazy (moving to the other side Eddie chisels again on Tommy’s

back), but you pretend like you’re really, really busy (he chisels again),

you have a problem with lust…

Tommy: Okay, time out! I do not have a problem with lust.

Eddie: You don’t have a problem with lust?

Tommy: No, I can do it anytime I want (beat; realizing he has a problem). Okay.

(Eddie starts to begin again) Whoa, whoa hang on. Maybe we can take a

little time out. I mean, I think I’m doing pretty good.

 

I have realized that I often like God to work in the areas that I want to admit that I have trouble with, but the areas that temptation is either too personal, or I feel that I can easily control, I would rather deal with myself. I would rather deal with them on a personal level and not ask others to pray for what could hurt my pride by admitting I have trouble with. When other believers want to truly uphold us in prayer, it is important that we be vulnerable and humbly ask them to pray for our most hidden need. Rather that trying to "take a little time out" and closing ourselves in a bubble of self-righteousness, open up to God (and mentors/other Christians) and allow God to work no matter the cost to our self(ishness).

Eddie: You are doing pretty good, but when you look in the mirror who do you

see?

Tommy: I see me!

Eddie: Okay. Then I need to keep chiseling away, because ultimately you and

others need to see me. Here we go!

Tommy: Okay, hold on. Don’t take this the wrong way…it’s just that when I start

to look more like your Son, people get uncomfortable around me. Even

my friends at church are like “oh you’re holier than thou, why won’t you

do that?”

Eddie: So what you’re doing right now is that you’d rather play God in certain

areas of your life than for me to be God over your whole life.

Tommy: I did not say that.

 

We should want to reflect the light of Christ (loving, caring, and helping others), for two reasons.

1.  To submit to the authority of God in our lives and listen to the Holy Spirit's leading.
2. So that others will see his working and be drawn to Him.

Even if we are not accepted by others because of a "holier than thou" perception, we need to allow God to work in our lives, guiding our hearts and minds to a better way.  We need to hide ourselves and give up the pride we may have stored up and used as a wall of false protection from the uncomfortable.  God never promised a life of ease (he did promise comfort and that his "yoke is easy"), instead he said that his followers should expect trouble on every side, struggles, and tribulations.  Letting go may be the hardest part at first, but growing takes pain and struggle, (ie teenage years) that may seem like a burden.  Allowing this chiseling will mend brokenness and healing that will strengthen us.  God is mightier than us, God is the restorer of others, God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.  He is infinite; we are not.  We should want others to see Him in us, and as John the Baptist said He shall become greater, and I shall become less.  Let him be in control, stop making choices and let him lead your entire life.

Eddie: What you’re doing right now is common. It’s called “controlling”. You

want to control the things in your life or can I chisel? Control, chisel,

control, chisel?

Tommy: No, no! Chisel!

Eddie: Here we go.

Tommy: But can we chisel where I want to chisel?

Eddie: That’s called control.

Tommy: Okay, okay.

Eddie: (He starts to chisel again) You’ve been holding onto this for a long time.

You ready for this?

 

Still, there are times, that we want to take back control.  It is time to instead surrender more, because as we age, more temptations come, more troubles arise, and difficulties increase.  God will be faithful to those who allow to work and remove all the dead weight that we have attached or allowed to grow on us.  We must ask him to be all for us, not just all about us.  Let him control the chisel, the potter's wheel, and measure our progress.  Opening our lives and looking for opportunities to glorify God, to serve others, and to be an example of Him. 
But if we have hidden wrongs and sins...this may be harder.  However, when we give everything to Him, it will be easier in the end.

Tommy: Okay. Chisel away. (Eddie begins to chisel again) Just be prepared for

what you’re going to find in there. I know who’s inside there. And

because, God, I get up every morning and I look in the mirror and it is

this scared little kid who gets up everyday and tries to dress like an adult

and act like an adult, but can’t. So just be prepared for what you’re

going to find in there.

 

We need to not be scared of what God will find.  He knows what is best for us.  Six thousand years ago he created a perfect world in six days.  He did an indescribable thing then, and since he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He still will do indescribable things now too.  God can perfect us to his likeness, to his image, so even if we think we can NOT do something he calls us to do; we should know that He will equip us for the task he calls us for.  He knows what is going on in our heads, our hearts, and our whole being, we do not have to warn God.  Instead, we should apologize for trying to be in control and confess that we need the change he plans for us. We need to have faith that he will do what is best for us. 

When this happens, we will not have to worry. Our thoughts can become His thoughts, our ways will become His ways, and Our hearts will feel what His heart does.  We can have a complete conformation and become what he desired in the first place.

God will make us a new creation, his prefect original design, when we declare that He is Lord of our life and Lord of all things we think, say, or do.  It is that easy....