Music Monday: “Overthinking.” by Samantha Ebert
by: Debbie Waltz
In preparing for the conference, some things are bound to go wrong. I hadn’t anticipated that the Internet would be involved in this matter. It was completely unexpected. Those of you who have followed my past blogs know that I’ve often written about the indispensable role that internet access plays in my life; it is essential for my work and overall well-being. Not only does it improve my writing and research skills, but the assistance provided by Alexa also empowers me with a sense of control and independence within my surroundings, enhancing my overall quality of life. Simultaneously, I acknowledge the potential for detrimental outcomes should I proceed without careful consideration, inadvertently emphasizing self-reliance at the expense of reliance on God.
I’ve been failing at this a lot lately. Given that I am a quadriplegic, it seems logical that I would have developed a thorough understanding of how essential reliance on others truly is. After all, I rely on others to help me with all my daily needs. At the same time, I struggled to control what little I could. The truth is that the idea of control is an illusion; everything comes from and belongs to God. Deuteronomy 10: 14-15 reminds us, “To the LORD your God belongs the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in. Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he told you, their descendants, above all nations – as it is today” (NIV)
But where does free will come in? While God controls everything, he does not enact it over us. He gives us a choice. Why? He seeks not forced obedience, but the heartfelt devotion that springs from thankfulness and true appreciation for His redemptive act on the cross – a love freely given. We are physical representations of God’s love as Christians to those around us living in a fallen world as a result of sin. More importantly
in God’s eyes, we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Now this doesn’t mean we are perfect; we are still subject to the temptations of this world and its struggles. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
But that doesn’t mean our life will be perfect. As Christians, our souls are sealed for when the Lord returns. In the meantime, we are still humans and susceptible to the things of the flesh.. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Samantha Ebert’s “Overthinking” reminds us of the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Just like any relationship, it takes work. But God will always be there to listen to us. Just talk to him. He just wants to hear from us and have our hearts.
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