Who's Got Control?

Ahhhhh.... what a question. I don't know if it is just my nature or being a woman or being a fallen human but I love control; and I want it. My mom was recently here from India (Yeah!) and one morning before I left for work we got into the topic of how most of the world's religions salvation are based on human control. My mom pointed out that when looking at the world's religions most, if not all, are based on man's works and man's control for salvation. It almost goes like this:

"Here is a list of acts and prayers you can do to be saved; now go. You have control of when and where you do these acts; you have the control." The center of that relationship is Man not God; and it is centered on man having control of his journey of salvation.

But when you look at Christianity it is the only one in which the core belief and salvation comes not from man and what man can do but from God. There is nothing that I can possibly do perfectly for true salvation. I must admit and acknowledge my own sin and let God have control. Only He can save, only He can redeem.

"Look at the fall of Adam and Eve." My mom said. "Original sin occured because of Adam and Eve's desire to have control over their lives and over the Garden of Eden."

I soon realized that so much of my sin, well let's be honest ALL, comes from my desire to have control. It seems like I've learned this lesson over and over in my life but it still is present. What is it about that need for control? And why is it so hard to give it up?

But there is such freedom and peace when we give up that control, may we let go and truly be free.