You're Not the Boss of Me

The two’s bring it on.  We learn to stand on our own two feet, push our boundaries a bit, and handle things we used to rely on others for.  We begin to get the idea of independence and it feels good!

The phrase follows soon after – “You’re not the boss of me!” – particularly if we have older siblings.  As we grow older, and braver, we get bold enough to use it on our parents, probably only once depending on the parents we have.

Isn’t it an idea, though, that we struggle with from that time on?  Teachers – oh how we wish we could use it with them!  Professors – we argue with them, but we know when to back off.  Spouses – where do you think the rebellion against submission comes from?  Bosses – that dream of walking in and quitting on the spot comes from those first thoughts as a toddler.

But consider this – what if that boss loved you more than you could imagine; wanted only the best for you; was in control of and allowed or caused every single thing that happened to you for your good; knew you better than you know yourself; had untold gifts to shower on you; and had a plan worked out for your life that would astound you if you knew it?  How would you feel about him?

Our sovereign God is all of this and more and he adores us!  And still we disobey, rebel, and shake our fist and yell, “You’re not the boss of me!”  Oh yes, He is.  And He is good and powerful and loving.  He is the perfect boss.  He’s in control anyway, but I think I’m going to try this obedience thing a little more strenuously.

Ephesians 6:5-7; 1 John 3:21-24

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men…Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him. And this is His command: to believe the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.