Surrendering control: it’s something we all struggle with because each of us have things we like to remain in control of. In the days when a home had just one television, control of the remote was a real struggle. As it gets cool out, I know, in some homes, struggles for control over the thermostat are probably building. If I’m in a hurry and waiting in the express lane of a checkout, I know I’ve caught myself counting the items in the carts of shoppers ahead of me. During last week, someone told me how they have written numbers on the hangers in their closet as part of a system to guarantee they don’t wear the same outfit more than once a week. Maybe there are some here right now thinking that’s a good idea.



Now, most of the time, the control we strive for isn’t a problem; that is, until it gets in the way of a relationship with God. Last weekend, we began examining the challenge of surrendering control by reflecting on a moment when a rich young man approached Jesus asking, “…what must I do to inherit eternal life?”[i] As far as anyone could tell, the rich young man had everything together: he was prosperous and even succeeded in keeping the commandments of God. But he knew something was missing. Our faith is about more than following rules. So, Jesus invited the rich young man to take a deeper step, to surrender control and give up trying to possess or ‘own’ eternal life as though it were something to be bought and controlled and instead surrender control to the Saviour, to trust that eternal life, the treasure of heaven, is a gift to accept. Sadly, the rich young man chose to maintain his control, clinging to the very thing that had failed to satisfy his heart.



Today, we’re looking at surrendering control of our idea of success or greatness. Of course, we all have our own unique ways of measuring greatness. Some feel successful when free of worry. Others feel accomplished when they have what’s needed to be comfortable. Some like having lots of people around while others like having their space. Some feel great when the bank balance has enough digits while others feel greatness comes from having influence over others. Generally, we feel we’re successful when life goes according to our plans and we can say we’re in control. But when things don’t go our way, it’s easy to feel that life is out of control.



There’s nothing at all wrong with wanting to be comfortable or safe, financially secure or influential; we’ve been made for these things and will enjoy them in God’s Kingdom. But success and greatness as any of us or the world might measure, is very different than the greatness God calls us to.



In the Gospel today, we heard about a moment when two Apostles, James and John, asked Jesus for a favour, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one on your left, in your glory.”[ii]. They wished to be great and powerful in the promised Kingdom, to have the control needed to shape their lives and maybe even make the world a better place. The other Apostles were understandably angry over the grasp for control, but not Jesus; he knows those who follow him often start doing so because they want something from him. The Saviour knows some of us are here hoping he’ll sort out some mess in our lives or grant some favour or somehow give more control. That’s okay, he can work with that.



Like James and John, maybe you’re here looking for the control or greatness needed to improve your life or the lives of your loved ones or even our community or world. That’s okay because Jesus isn’t against any of that; to James and John’s request for greatness, he responded, “…whoever wishes to be great among you must first be your servant…”[iii]. Jesus doesn’t criticize the desire for greatness or success. In fact, the Saviour wants us to be great and successful; he wants us to want that too, for ourselves and for our loved ones.



But there is a catch. God made us for greatness and Jesus wants us to wish for greatness, but he also directs this desire for greatness according to God’s vision of greatness, away from authority and towards service. This is where we’re asked to surrender control: by proclaiming how greatness comes, not from authority but, from service. We’re made great when we contribute to our Church and community. We become great when working to build others up. Greatness comes from calculating what can be given. Greatness is rooted in service because service makes us like the Saviour who came to serve.



Through service, by surrendering control even over their own lives, James and John have been made great; they’ve influenced continents and lead a countless number of people to the Saviour. Their letters have endured through time. Through service and surrendering control to Jesus, James and John have accomplished more than any ruler has ever imagined. Their lives, however, present a challenge to how greatness is measured.



So, during this week, maybe take a moment to reflect on how you measure greatness. What do you envision when you imagine a great life? How would your life, the lives of your loved ones or the world be better through your greatness? Then the hard part: where does service fit into your vision of greatness and what control might the Saviour ask you to surrender to become truly great after his example?



God of all power, through the service of the Saviour, your Kingdom has been revealed and opened to those who follow your Word. Increase our longing for greatness and direct it, through your Spirit, away from authority but towards the kind of service demonstrated in the life of Jesus, our Lord, in whose name we offer all our prayers. Amen.







[i] Mark 10: 17 NRSVCE



[ii] Mark 10:37 NRSVCE



[iii] Mark 10:43

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