Controlling or Nurturing?

I had an interesting thought a few weeks ago about the distinction between nurture and control as it pertains to being a disciple, or apprentice, of Jesus. If we claim to believe in Jesus and follow him, that means that he is the example that we model our lives after. It seems to me that, based on our perspective, discipleship to Jesus can feel either controlling or nurturing.

We all come with the baggage of our childhood, and I am not immune to it. I grew up without a father in the home, and if I’m honest, as I grew older, it felt like my mom was trying to control me. Like all teenagers, I was trying to individualize myself from my family and stretch my boundaries until I acquired the total freedom I was after. Ages like 16, 18, and 21 are milestones of freedom in our country, as we are increasingly viewed as an “adult” with all of the rights and the responsibilities of one.

However, now the tables have turned as I have a child of my own. A child I have been given the incredible responsibility to love, teach, and guide as they grow up. The early days of childhood are filled with nurturing, as they need our help to do every little thing that we so often take for granted. This will quickly change as toddlerhood sets in and our nurturing can feel like control as they test the boundaries they have never felt before. As they grow older….well, I’m not there yet, so I’ll let you fill in this portion of the blog on your own.

I had an epiphany…sometimes being nurtured can feel like control.

(Read that again.) Ouch….guilty as charged. I’m nurturing my child, and they feel like it’s control…but it is what is best for them. My mom nurtured me, and it felt like control…but it was what was best for me. In the same way, God nurtures us, and if we are honest, it may feel a little bit controlling to change our lives to follow Him…but it is absolutely what is best for us.

God wants to show his love, teach you his ways, and guide you throughout life's journey so that you will continue to grow. How might you welcome God’s nurturing instead of resisting it as control? Perhaps you could pick up that dusty old leatherbound book in the corner, go to a church, throw a few prayers up, or finally kick that habit you know you need to. Wherever you find yourself today, know that God is with you and wants to nurture you for a lifetime of growth ahead.

Grace and Peace,

Austin

Originally written for and posted on The Osage County Herald-Chronicle