"Who's in Charge Here?"

“Who’s in Charge Here?”

In 1962 Gerald Gardner released a book of pictures with humorous captions called Who’s in Charge Here? (In my research I found a 1944 volume of the same title by George Price featuring cartoons surrounding World War II themes.) Gardner’s work was popular on my college campus and many of its photos found their way onto various bulletin boards. I don’t remember most of them but they brought a lot of laughs in the midst of serious (?) study.

A classmate told a group of us of another way this phrase came up. His church was preparing for an outdoor service in a city park for which the needed permission had been secured. Apparently one policeman hadn’t gotten the memo because he walked up to the group and loudly asked, “Who’s in charge here?” My friend was in the background, heard the commotion and answered, “The Lord!” The officer stopped for a brief moment then turned, walked away and the event went on as scheduled. (The local newspaper reported the incident, including my friend’s comment, and concluded the story with, “And you can’t get much higher than that!”)

This question is always a valid concern when it comes to God’s work. He told Job, “Everything under heaven belongs to me.” (Job 41:11, emphasis added) so He’s already given His answer. This includes our planet (“The earth is the Lord’s….”—Psalm 24:1), the creatures that inhabit it (“…Every animal of the forest is mine….”—Psalm 50:10), its riches (“The silver and the gold is mine….”—Haggai 2:8) and whether or not we recognize it our very lives (“…Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”—Romans 14:8). I might say, “It’s my life and I’ll do as I please!” But Solomon reminds me, “We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” (Proverbs 16:9, TM) and “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” (Proverbs 14:12, NLT). Contrast this with “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18). Which is more promising?

In 1874 Frances Havergal wrote a hymn expressing the outcome of putting God in charge. Summarized I’m asking Him to “Take my life, moments and days, hands, feet, voice, lips, silver and gold, intellect, love, myself, will and heart.” My question to myself: Am I being truthful or dishonest when I sing it?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan