The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up. Psalm 94:18-19 (MSG)
My husband was driving us to the airport amid heavy traffic. A car ahead of us slowed suddenly. I hissed in my breath and slammed my foot onto a nonexistent brake on the floor in front of me. My husband, an excellent driver who was completely alert to the traffic, sighed.
“Sorry.” I forced my fingers to relax their grip on the armrest.
When I ride the shotgun seat in a car, I can be a bit annoying. Even though I don’t need to make decisions to direct the car, my instincts won’t turn off. If a car enters traffic from the side, I flinch. If I spot a pothole, my body tightens up. When a light ahead turns red, I’ve even been known to yell helpfully, “It’s red!”
Like I said, I can be an irritating passenger.
So I’ve learned to close my eyes, stop my alert scanning, and remind myself I’m not in the driver’s seat.
I want to let Jesus steer my life. Yet when possible threats arise, I often act in alarm. I tense. I flinch. I slam imaginary brakes. My reflexes demand that I take over the speed, direction, and movement of my life.
Instead, when life throws us a challenge, we can close our eyes, take a deep breath, and remember that we are not in the driver’s seat. Jesus bought us. We are His. We can invite Him to direct our lives and ask for His help to relinquish our craving for control.
FAITH STEP: Next time you’re a passenger in a car, close your eyes and think about the gift of allowing Jesus to safely guide your life.
