IF only I could keep God under control, what a different world we could enjoy.

I could hold my Trump card, travel the world in my golf buggy, releasing all and sundry so they could be free, if only...?

And yet... “You can’t stop rain from falling down, prevent the sun from shining. You can’t stop spring from coming in or winter from resigning. Or still the waves or stay the winds or keep the day from dawning.”

And whilst you are thinking about it, remember this... “You can’t stop God from loving you, his love is new each morning.”

When you think about it, life’s not fair. We have a mind to think, ambition, drive, ideas, opportunities, experience, expression, determination and control – did I say control?

And yet... “You can’t stop ice from being cold, you can’t stop fire from burning or hold the tide that’s going out, delay its sure returning. Or halt the progress of the years, the flight of fame or fashion.”

And whilst you are thinking about it, remember this... “You can’t stop God from loving you, his nature is compassion.”

You are right. We have freedom, but it is of little use. We have rights, the ability to get our own way. Yes! We have freedom, to get what we want, in the way we want.

And yet... “You can’t stop God from loving you, though you may disobey him, you can’t stop God from loving you however you betray him; from love like this no power on earth the human heart can sever.”

And whilst you are thinking about it, remember this... “You can’t stop God from loving you, not God – not now – nor ever.”

Alistair Dawson

Retired Salvation Army officer on behalf of Churches Together in St Austell