When people are young they dream about being in charge and sitting in the driver's seat. The idea of choosing their vehicle, route and passengers in life are like keys to a hot rod for itching roadster's. However, as life unfolds they discover they merely move from the back to the front seat...still a passenger. While those in the driver's seat merely exchange places: parents are exchanged for employers, spouses and government officials. Soon one realizes, control over the steering wheel of life is one thing they will never truly possess, nor were they ever meant to.
But some may be thinking, they are absolutely in control of their life. They say who, how, when and where. True, they have liberty to make plans and seek their desires, but control over their life is impossible. For in order to have control, they would have to possess power over everyone and every force of nature on the road. Therefore, the truth remains--as it has since the beginning--there is only one source of power which possesses control and that power is Almighty God.
In the beginning, God created through His power all things. The book of Genesis gives the account of creation and the control the creator holds over all that was made. Man indeed was created by God and fashioned in His image, however, man was not created to be in charge. That position was already filled. Though, Adam and Eve were lovingly placed in the Eden paradise, they did not control the garden. They were simply charged with its care.
In the days of peace between God, man and woman, the issue of control was not relevant: Adam and Eve were naive to thoughts of power and control issues. Only when the serpent introduced to Eve the idea that she could be like God did her hands reach for the fruit. For who, wouldn't want to be like God? From this moment, everything changes and the seed from the first lie, sprouts mankind's desire to seek his own way.
Oswald states in his devotional "We have no right in christian service to be guided by our own interest and desires. In fact, this is one of the greatest test of our relationship with Jesus Christ," (John 15:13NIV). Therefore, we must give up control of our vehicle and allow the Lord to control our vehicle, route and speed. For while we are all called to journey with Jesus, we each have our own road to travel.
Control and choice are not the same thing. Choosing from options is not the same as providing the options. Though we are granted the freedom to plot a course for our road trip, we are never really in the driver's seat. Instead we are willful sojourners with Christ on the road of life. Eager to go where Jesus goes. Does this mean we are free to kick up our feet and nod off? Hardly. Like a faithful co-pilot, we serve the needs of the driver so He can keep his eyes on the road. Or we choose to be rebellious, reckless and out of control dragster's who threaten the safety of other vehicles on the road. The choice is simple, we either allow Jesus to take the wheel of our life and navigate us safely home or we pretend we know how to drive and foolishly climb into the driver's seat.
Thus, the way we choose to ride through life determines our final destination. Our lives become a series of choices that are strung together by consequences. What roads we choose to travel, determines what choices we will have further down the highway. For example; you can choose premium fuel for your vehicle for supreme performance or you can go with regular grade and risk the life of your engine. You can put steel belt tires on your rims or drive on spares. Nonetheless, though you may choose to drive to work tomorrow, someone else may choose to run a red light and blindside you! Man is absolutely NOT in control.
Finish the following sentence. Not being in control makes me feel ______.
Some people feel scared when they're not in control. Some feel up-tight,angry, worrisome, disappointed, even rebellious. Considering, these people will never be in charge of the big picture of things, it stands to reason that there would be a lot of scared, up-tight, angry, worrisome, disappointed and rebellious people in this world. Let's call it road rage.
Yet, the irony is, many feel this way because they doubt the goodness of those who are in charge over them, in the driver's seat per se. Their worrisome parents, angry spouses, up-tight bosses, disappointed teachers and so on are flawed drivers and they know this. And the old hissing snake whispers lies in their ears...they don't really love you, your spouse isn't trust worthy, your boss doubts your ability, your teacher thinks your stupid. They accept the lie as truth and they fight to take hold of the wheel. Children fight for the keys of independence to prove their worth, spouses question each other's desired destination and employees fight over the front seat.
Doubt of God's love, prompts us to feel fear and anxiety on the road. Doubt in the abilities of others makes us want to drive. We desire to protect our own hide,interest or route. Yet, when we choose to believe in the omnipotent power of God--as well His goodness, kindness and mercy--we will learn to rest in the passenger seat. We will see the gift of choice is our power in this life. This insight will allow us to take our eyes off the steering wheel and turn it to the window. For how much more can we appreciate the scenery along the journey when we don't have to worry about driving.
No, we were never meant to be in control...and that's a good thing. For God is the King of the road and the only hands that can steer us straight. He is the original GPS and under His care we will never be lost.
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