“Life is a beautiful thing, as long as I hold the string,” exclaims the classic song, most notably recorded by Frank Sinatra. Though released in 1953, the carnal man still holds tightly to the message of “I’ve Got The World On A String.” The natural inclination of the carnal man is to hold tightly to all which he thinks he can control and try his best to manipulate those he considers out of his reach. So long as he is in control, “life is a beautiful thing.” Perhaps this message feels familiar to you; maybe even one you have adopted as your life’s anthem. So long as you are in control, life is good. When all is going your way, you’re “sitting on a rainbow.” The problem arises with the fallible thinking that, “I’ve got the world on a string.” Those who believe they are in control have a false sense of reality. For God alone is in control.
The message of this song and the worldview of the carnal man is rooted in a displaced view of God. Sadly, incorrect and low views of God have also infiltrated the church. The rise of “meology” has led many to worship the god of self. Meology lives for self, rather than the One who gave Himself for us. Meology fosters the mindset that God is merely a genie in a bottle or a 911 call; available at our convenience and for our comfort. Meology convinces us of a false sense of control and says, “Do whatever makes you happy. Follow your heart. You can fix this. You are in control of your life.” Meology asks God what He can do for us and neglects asking Him, “How can I obey You? How can I serve You? What areas of my life do I need to surrender to You? How can I be more faithful to You? How can I love You better?”
We grieve the Holy Spirit when subscribe to meology; when we choose self over Savior, comfort over conformation (into Christ’s image), and control over surrender. We were strategically bought with a price, not to live unto ourselves, but unto God. Full surrender to God can only come when we realize we are not in control. Though many think they have “the world on a string,” the converse is true. It is in the moments when we think we are in control, that we could not be further from the truth. The message of “He’s got the whole world in His hands,” echoes through eternity. For God alone is the Captain of creation’s ship. Psalm 103:19 tells us that God’s kingdom rules over ALL. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that God’s purposes stand. Psalm 22:28 affirms that God rules over ALL nations. Proverbs 16:9 says that God determines every step. As “God,” He is the Supreme Being who rules over ALL. Considering God’s complete control, we have a response to give. For if the Son of Man, fully man, yet fully God (Phil. 2:6-8), came to do the Father’s will (John 6:38), not to serve but to be served (Mt. 20:28), and to obey the Father (Luke 22:42), how much more should we? May the inherent, infallible, and absolute truth that God is in control evoke a response of surrender and obedience.
What does freedom look like? Relinquishing control. As a believer, it gives me great peace and hope to know that the sovereign God, Creator of the universe, King of kings, and Lord of lords, is in COMPLETE control of ALL things. The One who is in control has promised to work all things together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). For man does not have to devise plans, figure anything out, or orchestrate events; we simply must surrender and obey. Our God desires obedience. Our God wants to use His children in His eternal plan of redemption. Our God desires vessels of honor, fit for His use (2 Tim. 2:21). We can only be of use when we come to the end of ourselves; this is the best place to be. I’m so thankful that I am not in control, but God is. May I always keep Him on the throne of my life with a right view of Him: high and lifted up. May my life be marked obedience and surrender to my God.
May you be reminded that God alone has the world on a string, He sits on THE throne, and the string is around His finger. What a Lord, what a Savior, we are loved. We have a song to sing! For our God commands the winds and waves! With just a word, He spoke all of creation into existence! We are blessed, for we are loved! Life is a beautiful thing, as long as God has the world on a string. (SPOILER ALERT: He always will).
KNOW(N) Ministries 