Who's in charge here, anyway?

To return to our psalm [16], we remember that the writer is saying there are two groups of people. There are those who are the holy ones, and there are those who seek what they want, and that is the difference between the two groups. Those in the one group let Yahweh be Lord and let Him decide what is good for them, while those in the other group have their own ideas, seeking and wanting what they want. At the most basic level that is the difference between the holy and the unholy.— Lectures in Old Testament Theology, pages 66-67

<idle musing>
Can't get any more basic than that, can you? I think that's a good summary. Do I want God to run my life? Or do I want to run my life?

If the latter, then any hope of success must come from me. I'm responsible for everything. And I can manipulate things to get my own way—actually, I have to manipulate things to get my way. And it might work for a while. Some people are very good at it—for a while, but eventually they will get caught or run into someone more powerful or better at it than they are.

No wonder people are stressed out! Personally, I opt for the first choice; I'll let God run my life. By doing that, I can relax and enjoy all of life's often bizarre circumstances because I know who is directing my paths...
</idle musing>