In the last of this series of TFTDs from Greenbelt, I want to share some thoughts from a talk by theologian Thomas Ooord. The title of his talk was “God is- uncontrolling love”, and he started with the statement – God CANNOT control anything. The talk was packed with information explaining this statement, which I will try (poorly) to share here.
God is a God of love, and so cannot be controlling, rather that love is relational – He with us, and us with Him. God is not some person from ancient times. He is with us her and now, and moves with us through time. If God is controlling, if God has already decided everything, then why should we pray? No need to bother? If God can change/control things, without us even asking, then again, why pray?
God is in relationship with us, influencing rather than controlling. Thomas Oord gave the example of when he asked his girlfriend to marry him, presenting her with a ring on bended knee. He was not controlling her, that act certainly influenced her, but it required her to act.
God can influence us, but we, in relationship with God need to react, to respond.
Another illustration, Thomas used to make the point, was aa class full of primary school pupils at the end of school day. The teacher turns to them and asks them to tidy the room up before they can go home, knowing full well that she will end up tidying the room herself.
In our relationship with our uncontrolling, loving God, we need to cooperate with God, to respond to God.
That might be in our stewardship of this planet, or in loving our neighbour, or speaking up against injustice.
God is uncontrolling love. AMEN