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Making God King

Often when we find ourselves faced with a difficulty in life there is an immediate urge to try to fix or change the situation itself. But this outward focus usually ends up in frustration. No matter how hard we try we cannot not change most of the external circumstances in our lives. The person who is bothering you, will continue to do so, and the traffic will not move any faster no matter how many times you honk your horn.

The solution to this dilemma is revealed in the service of Rosh Hashana. The primary theme of Rosh Hashana is the proclamation of God's Kingship. The prayers are filled with numerous references to God as King and a longing for the day when His Rulership will be known to all. The blowing of the shofar is reminiscent of a coronation; a clarion call so to speak of God's ascendance to His Holy Throne. But why would God need us to make Him King? Surely He is above all pomp and circumstance.

Making God King means that we take a mental step back. We do not dictate how things should happen. We go with each situation as it comes, and we leave the outcome completely in God's Hands. Though our influence is limited when it comes to external circumstances, the opposite is true when it comes to our internal reaction. It is within the realm of our inner world that we have control. The same situation that illicits frustration can also illicit tranquility. We never have to be the victim of circumstances. Instead of trying to change our environment we have the ability to change ourselves.

Now all of life's challenges, great and small, take on new meaning. Each and every one is a unique opportunity for personal growth. Instead of lending ourselves to a downward spiral of distressful thoughts and behaviors, we have the ability to tap into a wealth of inner strength and clarity.

Thus whenever life seems to stop, our initial response should be to look inside. At those moments we need to make a mental account of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This process will give us the clarity to move way from that which is negative or ineffective. The next step is to pray that the situation is worked out in the best possible way and that we receive whatever strength or clarity we need next to it. Here, try to stay away from determining how everything should be resolved. To the degree that one lets go of how things have to happen to him, then to that degree God will take over his life. To the degree that one dictates how the solution has to come about, then that is how limited he is. After all, how many solutions can a person come up with? God is unlimited; thus the possibilities are endless.

Once we have made the conscious choice to place the onus of the situation on God, we open up a space inside of ourselves. In this inner space sits our ability to be calm next to adversity, and it is the doorway to a treasure chest of our own unique strengths and qualities.

God wants us to accept Him as King because by doing so we elevate ourselves. Strengths and abilities that may have been hidden inside- even from our own eyes- are brought out into the open. Once this happens often the very situations that were the source of so much difficulty suddenly fall away.

Ironically, by changing ourselves our environment also changes. By creating a place in our lives for God's Kingship we extend our own dominion, and by giving up a sense of control, in the end we only gain it.

Learn more about this author, Simi Brown.
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