#beyond our control

[momentsbeforemass]

God doesn’t set us up to fail

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It’s a critical question from Jesus. One that everyone answers, even by their silence. What stands out for me is Jesus’ response to Peter.

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.”

This is the only idea about who Jesus is that Jesus responds to. But not because it’s the right answer.

Jesus responds to Peter’s answer because it’s Peter’s answer. It’s the only answer that Peter has control over – his own.

The other answers, what other people say? Peter has no control over them. Peter couldn’t change them if he wanted to.

Jesus is focusing on Peter’s understanding of who He is. And Jesus offers no thoughts about the other answers. About what they get wrong, or what they get right.

Why? Because Jesus is teaching Peter, Jesus is mentoring Peter. And the only thing Peter can do in response to Jesus is to change the things that he can control – like his answer.

Which is why Jesus doesn’t bother with the other answers.

And in so doing, shows us that what really matters are the things that God has given to us. The things that we can control.

To be blunt, God isn’t interested in your opinion or my opinion about what someone else is doing or saying. God did not entrust their actions and their thoughts to us.

We can’t control them. And God’s doesn’t ask us change what we have no control over. Because God doesn’t set us up to fail.

What is God interested in? God is interested in how you and I handle what He has entrusted to us. God is interest in what you and I are doing and saying about the things that He has placed in our control.

That’s the backstory for what Jesus is doing in today’s Gospel. That’s why Jesus doesn’t waste a moment of His time with Peter on anything that He hasn’t already placed in Peter’s control.

If you and I are serious about following His example, about living our Faith, then we need to have the same focus.

Today’s Readings

[jade-island-lives]

Song of the Waves Progress: 11-11-17

The days still droned on, not stopping to care about who or what it crushed. That was the thing about time, it didn’t matter who it hurt and who it favored.

Truth be told, this chapter really drained me. I wasn’t able to write a lot today, and what I have written today doesn’t satisfy me. Then again, I will never be satisfied. XD 

In the end, I didn’t write a whole lot, so my word count today is lacking. 1,387 words today. I’m used to doing more then that. But then again, I was busy today and my energy is rather lacking these days.

Nevertheless, I am thankful to have you all as a constant support. I may be complaining at this point, so to add some positivity to this post, I have been seeing a lot of amazing excerpts today, and even more outstanding progress. It warms this huge Hufflepuff heart of mine to see such kind and dedicated writers and artists. <3

Goodnight loves, <3

[momentsbeforemass]

God doesn’t set us up to fail

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It’s a critical question from Jesus. One that everyone answers, even by their silence. What stands out for me is Jesus’ response to Peter.

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.”

This is the only idea about who Jesus is that Jesus responds to. But not because it’s the right answer.

Jesus responds to Peter’s answer because it’s Peter’s answer. It’s the only answer that Peter has control over – his own.

The other answers, what other people say? Peter has no control over them. Peter couldn’t change them if he wanted to.

Jesus is focusing on Peter’s understanding of who He is. And Jesus offers no thoughts about the other answers. About what they get wrong, or what they get right.

Why? Because Jesus is teaching Peter, Jesus is mentoring Peter. And the only thing Peter can do in response to Jesus is to change the things that he can control – like his answer.

Which is why Jesus doesn’t bother with the other answers.

And in so doing, shows us that what really matters are the things that God has given to us. The things that we can control.

To be blunt, God isn’t interested in your opinion or my opinion about what someone else is doing or saying. God did not entrust their actions and their thoughts to us.

We can’t control them. And God’s doesn’t ask us change what we have no control over. Because God doesn’t set us up to fail.

What is God interested in? God is interested in how you and I handle what He has entrusted to us. God is interest in what you and I are doing and saying about the things that He has placed in our control.

That’s the backstory for what Jesus is doing in today’s Gospel. That’s why Jesus doesn’t waste a moment of His time with Peter on anything that He hasn’t already placed in Peter’s control.

If you and I are serious about following His example, about living our Faith, then we need to have the same focus.

Today’s Readings

[momentsbeforemass]

Results

(for someone who’s being too hard on herself)

“Measure results, not processes.”

The first time I heard this, I was in a training session for new managers. The trainer repeated it, and the whole room lit up. Like the clouds had parted.

Making results your benchmark for success is an approach that can be very liberating for the people you are managing. Done right, it supports creativity and gives them the room to improve in unconventional ways.

As human beings, we want things to be universal. To apply across the board, to work every time, everywhere.

That impulse can become a liability. When we take something that was meant for a particular purpose or a limited context, and try to use it across the board.

When we do, it’s like trying to use a specialty tool to do something that it was never meant to do.

It is true that making results our benchmark for success can work – in the context of managing people.

But outside of that context? Making results our benchmark for success can be a recipe for frustration. Especially if we apply it to things that are beyond our control.

When you and I try to help other people, we are setting ourselves up if we judge the value of our efforts based on the results we’re seeing.

Because different people respond differently.

And it doesn’t matter how you’re trying to help them. Whether you’re telling someone about Jesus. Or teaching someone, or helping someone who’s homeless, or trying to raise funds for a good cause. Different people respond differently.

God knows this. That we’re all different. And that we all respond differently. After all, that’s how He made us.

Which is why God doesn’t judge the value of our efforts based on the results that you and I see.

It’s the point of today’s Gospel, the part about “the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”

The one measuring, the one giving, the one pouring out their help, their encouragement, their support doesn’t know how what they’re doing will turn out. What happens with the help, the encouragement, the support is beyond the control of the one doing the giving. And yet, more comes from that than we know.

The important part for you and me? Look at the only place where human effort comes in.

Not in growth. Not in progress. Not in the end result. The only place where human effort is involved? Giving. Pouring out the help, the encouragement, the support.

So what does that mean? It means that whatever good God has called you to do, do your part. And do it well.

Keep giving. Keep pouring it out. Over and over.

But don’t worry about the rest. That’s God’s part, not yours.

Trust God for the growth. Trust God for the results. When you do, you will be amazed at what comes from what you’ve given.

Trust God. And keep pouring it out.

Today’s Readings

[mr-top-secret]

Beyond Our Control was a sketch comedy show that ran on WNDU-TV out of South Bend, Indiana from 1967-1986. Each episode was written and performed by highschool students. Here is a highlight reel made for the 2001 reunion.

[mr-top-secret]

[lifewithaview]

Saul Rubinek in Warehouse 13 (2009) Beyond Our Control

S2E3

For the first time, residents of "Univille" (Warehouse 13's hometown) begin experiencing bizarre and increasingly powerful events leading to the discovery that a dangerous artifact is loose in their own backyard.

*Claudia says she needs a fusible link, but any wire will work, a fusible link is nothing more than a wire that acts like a fuse that prevents power overloads.

[nickjames2271]

Paranoid YouTube- Beyond Our Control- 1984

This is excellent bit from a TV I was on decades ago. I wasn’t on this season, but this was a great bit from my friends the season after I left. Still makes me laugh.