God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. (1 Tim. 6:15)

“This ball is my ball, and I make up the rules.” Those were the words expressed to me when, in my childhood, I tried to join a game of soccer. I was not allowed to play. I got upset. I argued with the boy who denied me the opportunity to play: “I don’t see your name on the ball.” It was a failed attempt; the soccer ball was his and, in a sense, he was in charge of this game.

Sometimes we struggle to accept who is in charge. In his exhortation to Timothy, Paul reminded him to fight the good fight of faith. This struggle to grasp and reflect the new life achieved in Jesus was good. Despite opposition, Timothy had to live as if Jesus was already in charge, because he truly was. Pilate once thought he was in charge, but was confronted by Jesus’ confession that he was the true Lord and Messiah. Timothy needed to live in that reality. Jesus, though currently unseen, would reappear showing himself as the legitimate ruler of all.

We too are encouraged to fight. We too have made a confession of loyalty to the King. At times it may not look like God is in charge; he remains unseen. However, this world is his world. He makes up the rules, and we get to play on his team.

Surrender and fight to live under the lordship of Jesus.

Luigi Peñaranda is an assistant professor of Christian ministry at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.