God’s Driving Test

OUT OF CONTROL:

So, you are driving along life’s highway and decide to let God take control of your life. You move to the passenger seat and give God the wheel. This is a big step!

Finally.

You are ready to relinquish control.

Or so you think.

You sit in the passenger seat, but you are like a nervous mother giving her sixteen-year-old son driving lessons.

“God, stop! Don’t you see the car coming our way?”

The car is about a mile away, but you are sure God will take you into a head-on collision.

A few seconds later, God drives by the oncoming car without incident. You breathe a sigh of relief. God passed that test.

But look! Here comes a sharp turn! You are not sure God can navigate this one. Surely, He will steer you right into the ditch.

On and on it goes. You want to let God have control. But you are unsure if He can handle such a big responsibility without wrecking your life. After all, He’s just God!

TAKING THE REINS:

When we attempt to control anything or anyone, we say, “God, you are not big enough to handle this. I will take care of it on my own.” We don’t see the results we want fast enough, so we take matters into our own hands.

God does not usually override a person’s will. When we try to control, God takes His hands off the steering wheel. He will not fight us for control. If we insist on doing things that are God’s responsibility, He will let us crash.

OUR KIND GOD:

The absolutely amazing thing is that God will help us put the pieces back together after we botch the job. He will not leave the accident scene, saying, “You should have known better.”

No, He hopes we will realize that doing things our way didn’t work out well. He hopes that we will give up and let Him direct our lives. Then, we will have no more crashes. We will be able to enjoy a smooth, peaceful ride…a much better alternative!

RELEASING THE REINS:

People who are peaceful and secure are not motivated to control people or circumstances. Their trust rests in God. They are secure in their relationship with Him.

They might not always be happy about their circumstances. They may not like all the places God takes them. But they know that God will never leave them broken down on the side of the road, desolate and abandoned. As they follow God, they know that they do not travel alone. This is what you call blessed assurance!

CRASH PREVENTION:

Trusting God is a progressive journey. It is so easy to tell God to scoot over so we can regain control. But really, that is not what we want. Deep down, we know that God is a better driver than we will ever be.

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for reminding me of the importance of surrendering my life to you. You do know what is best for me. Thank you for bringing me back to a place of trust in you. I look forward to where you will take me and how you will use my life for your glory.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV).