Do you find yourself changing your goals for the year by now? I’ve amended mine a few times already. Not to mention that I can’t believe we are nearly half way through the year again—already—enough! Why does it have to whiz by so fast? I don’t even feel like I’m driving 80 or 90 miles per hour. And my accomplishments don’t seem to fit the speed, either.
As I have faced changing some of my dreams to fit reality, I’ve had to take some second looks. If God is driving the car, why is my hand on the wheel trying to tell Him which way to turn it?
A Question
A question I’ve been asked recently is: “Have you flirted with the idols of our culture—such as affluence, reputation, pleasure and success?” At first I was quite self-righteous. Of course those things don’t really matter. I serve the Living God!
But as I looked a little more closely, I had to admit that I’ve flirted with all of those things. More than flirted: I’ve geared my goals and my money to accomplish those idols of our culture. What has that done for me? Caused me disappointment even as I did the things one should do, but didn’t see the results I expected.
Oh dear. I didn’t like the bends in the road that I met. They didn’t equal the adventure I wanted.
A New Adventure
But, there is now a new adventure. And a new plan. God IS going to drive. The question is whether the car is going to careen around the corners or simply turn around the corners with all four wheels in contact with the road surface. That would be MY choice—NOT to try to wrestle the wheel from God’s hands. So, now I will trust Him for what I can’t see around the next bend. Even at the speed we are traveling, He still has the destination in mind. He knows where all the pit stops are, too. He knows I’ll have to get out and stretch my legs and…well, you get the rest of the picture.
God’s Will. God’s Way. God’s Time.
“Come now, you who say,’Today or tomorrowwe will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say,’If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” James 4:13-15.
Linda Jo, great post. I love bends in roads because there is usually adventure ahead! I figure if we knew every inch of the pathway ahead, we’d rely on ourselves more than we’d like to admit. But relying on God helps us get to know Him better. And if things go south? So what! As everyone knows, if nothing goes wrong, it’s not an adventure!
It is easy to say, “I will trust You.” It is quite another to let go of the wheel and actually trust Him. Time and again, I take the wheel back. Time and again, I have to let go of it, and say, “I will trust You.” I have never met anyone with more patience than my heavenly Father.
Amen to that, Sister!