Who's the boss?

“You’re not the boss of me!” Have you ever heard some six year old say that? Or maybe a 36 year old. Truth is we are a people that don’t like to be fenced in. Therefore, identifying who the boss is really is important. The wrong “boss” keeps us from doing what we want to do, the right one gives us more freedom.

So how do most people feel about surrendering their life to Christ? In essence, we submit to His authority and let Him be “the boss.” Why is that so difficult? Perhaps the same reason that six year old doesn’t want to surrender their right to be “it” to someone else. How do we know that “the new boss” will do what I want? Or even more basic, treat me fairly?

Jesus made it clear throughout His ministry, and even more so after His resurrection that all authority had been given to him. But what would Christ do with “all power and authority” while He’s in heaven? Why would He need it up there if He’d already proven that His mission wasn’t to control people but to persuade them to follow Him, to listen to Him, to act like Him?

When we understand just how God “abides with us,” then it begins to make more sense why He has all the power and authority. This is what Paul was praying that the Colossians would do, to come to a “complete knowledge of his will and to [have] spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” (Colossians 1:9-10)

Letting someone else “be the boss” is easier to do when we know them. Unfortunately, many Christians really don’t put much time into getting to know God. Too often, our time is spent following the leadership example of the Pharisees rather than coming to an understanding of where and how Christ is really leading us today. Spend an unrealistic time in prayer this week, dedicate too much time to meditating on God’s word this week, go volunteer too much of your time to help someone in need, or go tell too many people about why you believe in Christ as your savior. By doing so, you’ll probably notice how much of a comfort letting Christ be the boss really is to your daily schedule.