Each of us holds something back from the healing fire of God’s love for fear that it will burn up and leave us with nothing.

The question is, what am I holding back and still trying to contol within my limited capabilities. And why?

Our lives ought to be less about controlling the myriad elements and variables that surround us and more about trusting in the only One who can help us order them perfectly for His own wonderful ends and our everlasting welfare.

It’s all too easy to get stuck in the comfort of what we know, in the familiar. And sometimes it provides no comfort at all. But it’s what we know and are familiar with and we see less risk in sticking with our current investment.

When we get stuck in a defensive ego state that walls us in, there’s not much we can do except promote our own status quo – mainly because we’re afraid to lose the little we have. The result is we move on feeling smug about our choices or we flounder in fear like hapless victims – and sometimes we experience a little of both.

In those no-win egotistical states, I know I’m missing out on something good, but I’m not willing to admit it. Or, I know another way is right, but I can’t admit I’m wrong because I’m too comfortable and too lazy to deal with the psychic fallout and necessary change.

When we’re ready for good to come our way, we’re ready. Until then, we should be honest about our life situation and not complain. Because each of us – with our free will – holds the key. And the first turn of the key is to let God in and be done with our trying to control everything. Humility goes a long way here.