Ever have a hard time getting out of bed? It may not shock you to find out that this is not a new feeling and has been a struggle of generations upon generations of humans across many civilizations. Let me share with you one of my favorite passaged about this age-old struggle between work and rest.
Fans of philosophy or history will no doubt be familiar with the philosophy of Stoicism, often exemplified by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. In his personal memoirs titled "Meditations", he writes this...
At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work—as a human being. What do I have to complain of, If I’m going to do what I was born for—the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” —But it’s nicer here … So you were born to feel “nice”? Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands? —But we have to sleep sometime… Agreed. But nature set a limit on that—as it did on eating and drinking. And you’re over the limit. You’ve had more than enough of that. But not of working. There you’re still below your quota.
Marcus Aurelius wasn't talking about Jesus and he wasn't examining the divine mysteries of the universe; what he was doing was exemplifying the concept that some things are totally out of our control and because of that we shouldn't trick ourselves into making them a bigger struggle than they are. There is something freeing about knowing the outcome of a situation, the status of who we are, or other aspects of our life are totally out of our control.
We all know people who are "control freaks" and those individuals might hear this and be mortified at the idea of not controlling their life's outcome. I would suggest this: the only reason a control freak acts the way they do is because deep down they believe their actions can somehow sway the outcome or purpose of whatever they're doing. Once we realize that many aspects of our life are truly out of our control, it can free us from many of the stresses and fears we deal with daily.
In John 11, before raising Lazarus, Jesus decides to return to the home of Lazarus to see his sick/dead friend. His disciples warn him against this due to the actions of those who want to hurt him, but listen to how Jesus responds...
6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” (John 11:6-10)
The bit in verse 9 may sound a bit cryptic, but he is essentially advocating for the exact mentality Marcus Aurelius was pushing. We all have an appointed time and place where good things, bad things, life, and death are bound to occur. If we truly believe that God is on control of our lives, then we must also acknowledge that we are not in control.
This isn't meant to cause stress or anxiety; it is intended to be freeing. When God calls us to lead, to serve, to act, to teach, or to comfort, a thousand thoughts cross our minds regarding how people may react or judge us for our faith. If we believe God is in control, then what do we have to fear? If God has called us to this thing, what force of earth do we fear will interfere? If God has appointed this time and place for something bad to happen, no action of mine is going to change what God has willed so I might as well go into my calling without the undue burden of trying to change my life's destiny.
Marcus Aurelius saw no reason to stay in bed because he was not made to "stay in bed"; he was made to live. In a similar sense, we were not made to sit in the comfort of our homes and walled churches; we were made to love, to serve, and to continue our relentless pursuit of a live closer to Christ. Once we realize that our purpose... and the outcomes... are something totally and entirely out of our control, the concerns of men will melt away and all we're left with is purpose... a purpose bigger than our own control or thought. A purpose driven by God's perfect plan instead of our own.
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