Jesus Take the Wheel?

On a dark Friday evening, Prionda Hill made a choice.  She decided that she was going to release the wheel of her car and let God steer.  Literally.  She completely removed her hands from ten and two and told God to guide her vehicle through traffic.  The outcome was less than ideal.   A motorcyclist by the name of Anthony Oliveri was the unfortunate victim of Prionda’s decision.  He later told police that when he saw the car coming directly toward him, the only thing he thought was  “This is the day I die.”   Fortunately, he didn’t.  While his injuries were serious, Anthony survived that crash… and Prionda is now facing several serious charges.  

Is that how God operates?  Does He tell us to completely remove our hands from the wheels of our lives?  Is He apt to recommend that we just “let it go?”  Many would say yes.  We say “Jesus… you do it!”  or “God… he/she’s all yours…”  But is that Biblical?  Does God tell us to release total control and let Him do it?  Is “Let Go and Let God” legit?  

No.  In fact the Bible says just the opposite.   2 Timothy 2:3 tells us to “Endure hardship…”  Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand…” Finally, 1 Peter 1:7 says that our trials reveal our level of faith.   

Our challenges strengthen us.  They burn away what doesn’t belong and reveal our toughness.  What we see as pain… God is using for our eventual good.  We read many times in scripture that Jesus promises to never leave us in our struggles… that He wants us to persevere through them… and why?  Because they are the very things that will cause us to build faith muscle that we will need later in life.  So the next time you feel like just letting God do it… don’t. Keep both hands on the wheel… and God will put His nail-scarred hands on top of yours… and help guide you through the traffic to your destination.

Stopping Early

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Cor. 10:12-13

“The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.” - Thomas Merton

In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul writes about something many of us deal with. He says that the temptations we face, while common to everyone, are not unbeatable. In fact, he says that God will “not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.” I love that! No matter what temptation the enemy throws our way to stop.. God will give us “a way out so that [we] can endure” The devil puts up stop signs, detours, and red lights... and Jesus reminds us that we have His GPS. He simply re-routes us around the obstacles and keeps us on the road to our God-potential.

So the question is... what tempts you to quit? Does it seem like there’s no hope? Are you struggling to think you’re worthy enough for God to use you? I have some encouragement for you. We’ve all felt that way from time to time. Today’s verse tells us that when we have these feelings, God will give us the wisdom, the strength, and the nudge to keep going and escape the temptation. He wants us to persevere because He loves us so very much. I’ll be praying that when you feel tempted to stop...or believe what others say about you... or doubt that you can do it... or hear the limiting lies of the devil... that you would remember that you aren’t alone. God is with you!

Quitting Early

It was a fog-shrouded morning, July 4, 1952, when a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. She intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast. Long-distance swimming was not new to her; she had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions.

The water was numbingly cold that day. The fog was so thick she could hardly see the boats in her party. Several times sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire. She swam more than 15 hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer tried to encourage her to swim on since they were so close to land, but when Florence looked, all she saw was fog. So she quit...only one-mile from her goal.  Later she said, "I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land I might have made it."

So close... but Florence quit early. 

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus’ disciples were ready to quit too.  Their leader had been crucified and placed in a tomb... and in their minds it was over.  

Might as well stop swimming.

Jesus had disappeared into the fog of an unmet promise.

Death had won.

Time to quit.

Or so they thought.

The Bible says it this way:

“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said.  As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!  Again he said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.’ Then he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’”  John 20:19-23

Can’t you just see it.  Jesus’ own trusted men... huddled together trying to figure out their next move.   They were convinced that the One they’d put their trust in wasn’t who He promised He was.   What would they do now?  Can’t go back to fishing, tent making, tax collecting and the like... too risky.  What if somebody remembered they’d hung out with Jesus.  Surely they’d be captured and killed. The fog had rolled in.  They could no longer see what was coming and they were scared.  Time to pack it in and give up... 

Ever felt like that?  Have you wanted to quit because you weren’t sure of the future?  Many of us have.  We feel like the situation we’re in is hopeless, helpless, and over.  Where’s God?  Why isn’t the change coming?  Why won’t the situation improve?  

The disciples thought the same thing.  Jesus heard them... He knew His men were frightened so He showed up inside the room.  

“Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said.”

Notice what Jesus did first.  He calmed them.  His first words back could have scolded them for their fear... corrected them in their doubt... or been upset with them because of their lack of faith.  Instead, Jesus enters the room with affirmation and comfort...

Peace be with you.  

Terror became thankfulness... cynicism gave way to celebration!

Today...when you want to quit... read those words above again.  Peace be with you.  

Those four words mean so much.  Jesus tells his disciples (and us)... don’t worry, don’t fear, don’t fret, don’t cry, don’t wonder... and most importantly...Don’t quit.  Jesus is right there with you.  You may not see Him in the uncertainties of life... but He’s there.  

Are these words for you today?  Feeling lost in the fog with no idea what’s coming?  Don’t quit.  Don’t stop swimming.  Jesus is there.  The Prince of Peace came back from the dead so that you and I would live triumphant lives... persevering through whatever holds us back from becoming who we were created to be.   Even when it feels like you are just treading water... you aren’t drowning.  Jesus won’t allow that.  

Look up... see His face in the room... experience His peace.... and swim on. 

You’ve got Him... so you’ve got this.

Keep Climbing

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”  James 1:2-4

“…For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

A little boy was leading his sister up a mountain path and the way was not too easy. “Why this isn’t a path at all,¨ the little girl complained. “Its all rocky and bumpy.¨ Her little brother kept on up the mountain, pausing just long enough to call out, “Sure, but the bumps are what you climb on.”

Ever faced a bump in your path?  We all do.  Many try to go around it... thinking that if they didn’t have it to deal with, they would be better off.  Not so.  Refuse to see challenges as inconveniences or barriers... they are tough but necessary steps leading you onward and upward toward a stronger faith and a fulfilled life.   

The troubles you faced in the past were tough... but you made it through them.

The troubles you are facing today are hard... some will tell you that what you want to do or where you want to go is impossible.  

God says nothing is impossible.  

Keep climbing… pushing yourself beyond what’s comfortable and easy… 

Stretch yourself to the point where fear gives way to faith… Be ready to take on the world not based on the opinions of others but on what God’s word says.  

And when you get to the peak of that mountain you are trying to climb... moving up and over all of those challenges... the view will be breathtaking.   

Butterfly Strength

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole. Then it stopped, as if it couldn’t go further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch it, expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body. Neither happened. In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required by the butterfly to get through the opening was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once that was achieved.

The butterfly was meant to go through struggle to make it capable of thriving in its life.

Look at today’s verse:

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10

The very reason you hurt is because there is something in it that will refine you... You will learn something about the depth of your faith...the strength of your God... and how very much He loves you.

Pushing through builds perseverance. Enduring under the weight brings strength. Leaning on God when it hurts develops faith.

You’ll need all three to become the person that God has created you to be. Perseverance...strength...faith. If life were always easy, you’d struggle with all three.

You were designed by a loving God to stand strong in the face of adversity. To fly. Instead of running from the troubles or looking for shortcuts around the trials... embrace them. It won’t be easy... Maybe you’ll want to be a martyr... or blame yourself or someone else... or feel like a victim.

You aren’t. God is bigger than anything you will ever come up against. The season you are in has been long and difficult... but you’ll make it. Never quit. Keep moving forward... even tiny steps if you have to.

And when the clouds part and the sun comes back out... break free... spread your wings and be a living testimony of Christ’s goodness and love.

Spring Is Coming

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”  1 Peter 5:10

Maybe you woke up today with the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Sometimes it’s what life throws at you.  Sometimes it’s discipline for a bad decision.  Every time it’s tough.  Really tough.  Hard to believe that you’ll be able to bear up under it.  Stresses, confusion, anger, bitterness, worry, and wonder... all mixed together in the soup of our day.  Life gets very very hard.     And in the midst of our pain, the devil sits nearby whispering...

“If God loved you...you wouldn’t be going through this.” 

That voice sounds so familiar.  It’s the one that tells you that you aren’t good enough... or that God has left you... or you don’t matter.

He just doesn’t let up.  

   

The saddest truth is that some of us have become convinced this is true.  It’s far easier to believe we are being punished for something than it is to think that God is allowing it to happen for us to grow.  We don’t like discipline.  We don’t like not knowing.  And if we’re being honest... we don’t like to wait on God’s timing when our own seems like a better plan.

God knows what He’s doing.  

He truly does.  

After going through a season of severe anxiety myself, I know this... You WILL be victorious over what is holding you down.   How do I know?

What you are feeling is for a SEASON.  

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”  1 Peter 5:10

That pit in your stomach. The tears that sting your eyes.  The lies.  The abandonment.  The loneliness.  You won’t feel these forever.  Look at the verse... it says your suffering is not a permanent condition.  Of course, a little while to God may seem like an eternity to us….but God’s timing is perfect... and we need to keep in mind that there is a purpose to the pain.  It may feel like Winter now... but Spring is coming.   Endure the season... but while you are going through it... thank God for His continued love and protection.  

He is building you... one season and one challenge at a time.

Hurt

Pierre Renoir was a famous French artist who was known for his paintings, mostly depicting family life. But there was one disease that tormented this gifted artist -- he had arthritis that plagued him to the tip of his fingers. Each brushstroke forcing a grimace to his face... It took him a long time to finish one masterful work of art. One of his friends urged him to stop painting and focus on his health. Renoir kept going... even though it hurt.  

For so many... pain is very real.   Sometimes it comes from a physical condition...other times it’s emotional scarring... relationship damage... poor choices... or even self-inflicted loathing or pity.  In any case, it hurts.  Badly.  But one thing I’ve found in all my years of ministry... pain precedes progress.  What we see as a hindrance...a barrier... God allows into our lives so that we can develop the necessary skills and character to become an overcomer... a person who knows what they’ve been through so they don’t have to be scared about what’s coming.  

If you are hurting right now as you read this, hold on.  Don’t quit.  I know it hurts.  But I also know this... breakthrough is coming.  Pain is temporary...God is permanent.  He’s not going to give up on you and you are going to be different as a result of your perseverance.   

Hold Nothing Back

Baseball great Joe DiMaggio was a very unique player.   He just never quit.  When asked why he continually gave it all he had (even when the game was out of reach)... DiMaggio smiled and said “"There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time, I owe him my best."

So many times we don’t try to be great because we can get away with good.  We ease up, slack off, pull back, or slow down.  Not because we can’t do it... but because we don’t have to.  We settle for a “C” when our potential is an “A”.... If you’ve ever felt like letting the feeling of “good enough” take over... remember today’s verse:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”  Colossians 3:23

Joe DiMaggio worked hard consistently because of his inner drive.. his work ethic... and his unwillingness to settle.  He worked for Yankee manager Joe McCarthy.  If you are a Christ-follower... you should work hard, be driven, have a high work ethic, and push the envelope too... but not because you work for a demanding manager.  You work for God.  

Whatever you do... you work for God.  Plumber to pizza maker to politician.... Your boss came to Earth over 2000 years ago and died so that you could be a world-changer.  Defeat the feeling of “good-enough”... push yourself to try harder, work with joy, and represent Christ in everything you do.   Jesus gave all He had.  He held nothing back.  

Why shouldn’t we do the same... all day... everyday.  

Keep Running

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  Galatians 6:9

On March 6, 1987, Eamon Coghlan, the Irish world record holder at 1500 meters, was running in a qualifying heat at the World Indoor Track Championships in Indianapolis. With two and a half laps left, he was tripped. He fell, but he got up and with great effort managed to catch the leaders. With only 20 yards left in the race, he was in third place -- good enough to qualify for the finals. He looked over his shoulder to the inside, and, seeing no one, he let up. But another runner, charging hard on the outside, passed Coughlan a yard before the finish, thus eliminating him from the finals. Coughlan's great comeback effort was rendered worthless by taking his eyes off the finish line. 

It’s so tempting to let up isn’t it?  Pull back a little... take it easy.

It happened to Eamon Coghlan and it happens to people you know.   Here’s how the trend usually looks:

Something unfavorable happens in life.

We cry, beg, and pray to God to intervene and help us.

We read our Bible, go to church, serve others, etc.

The situation changes.  

God comes through (as He always does)

We say a quick “thanks” to God and move forward with our lives.

We think we don’t need God as much so our bible reading decreases, we go to church every so often, and we stop serving.

Prayer only happens before meals if at all.

Fact is... some people only run with God when they need Him for something.  When times are good... they pull up... they let God run along and depend on themselves.

After all, who needs God when we can do it ourselves right?

That is NOT what God had in mind when we were created.  I say it many times when I teach… each of us are knit together with a specific purpose.  We are to run hard in life’s race.  Sprint through tragedies while leaning on Christ’s strength when ours falls short.  Courageously dash into challenges because we know that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.  Shrink back from adversity?  Slow up when it hurts?  Push away when we don’t know what to do?

Not part of the plan. 

If you are a Christ-follower, the moment you accepted Him as your Savior, you were given a brand new pair of track shoes.  Top of the line.  Designed to allow you to run hard your whole life... giving glory to Him along the way.  I love the way Isaiah 40:31 puts it... those that trust God will “run and not grow weary”   Hebrews 12 says “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...”

Run with endurance.

Run and not grow weary.

Keep running forward... don’t let up... don’t base your relationship with God on the way you feel or the circumstances of your life.  You were created to be in perfect step with your Lord... running toward a Heavenly finish line.  As we talked about last week, the devil’s in good shape and he’s trying to catch up to you... 

Slow down?  Nope.  We were created to finish the race strong.

Feeling tired?  Maybe.  Let God carry you 

Want to stop?  You can’t.  You were given one life to make a difference for Christ.

Keep moving forward... stay connected to God in both the good AND the bad times... and never ever quit.

You... yes you... are a winner.  

Run hard and cross the finish line of life as the champion you were created to be.    

At Bat

Babe Ruth had hit 714 home runs during his baseball career and was playing one of his last full major league games. It was the Braves versus the Reds in Cincinnati. But the great Ruth was no longer as agile as he had once been. He fumbled the ball and threw badly, and in one inning alone his errors were responsible for most of the five runs scored by Cincinnati. As the Babe walked off the field after the third out and headed toward the dugout, a crescendo of yelling and booing reached his ears.*

Some days we strike out.  We make errors.  We take our eyes off the ball or play hurt.  For whatever reason things don’t happen the way they are supposed to or even close to the way they did in times past.  It causes us to doubt our calling, snap at our closest family members, or wonder why God doesn’t seem to care.   

Life seems to be booing at us from all sides.... from the bleachers to the box seats.  

Ever have a day [a month... a year...] like that?  Ever struggled to get out of bed in the morning for fear of rejection, ridicule, or retaliation?   

Even hall of famers have those feelings.  

Even the best have rough days.

Look at Paul... He wrote most of the New Testament... was the greatest Christian missionary the world has ever seen...  and he wrote what happened to him.

“But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.  I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.”

All of us (even Paul) have challenges.  Sometimes the world hurts us... and sometimes we miss the ball on our own.  And what are the typical reactions? 

Stop trying.  No risk... no hurt.   

No body cares... so why should I?

No fair.  I’m trying to do the right thing and getting picked on because of it.

Sometimes we just need to be reminded that somebody cares.

Let’s look at the rest of the Babe’s story...

“Just then a boy jumped over the railing onto the playing field. With tears streaming down his face, he threw his arms around the legs of his hero. Ruth didn’t hesitate for one second. He picked up the boy, hugged him, and set him down on his feet, patting his head gently. The noise from the stands came to an abrupt halt. Suddenly there was no more booing. In fact, hush fell over the entire park. In those brief moments, the fans saw two heroes: Ruth, who in spite of his dismal day on the field could still care about a little boy; and the small lad, who cared about the feelings of another human being. Both had melted the hearts of the crowd.” *

Even though what Babe did at the plate was disappointing...

Even though what Paul suffered was crippling...

Even though what you woke up to seems too big to overcome...

Even though failure and pain happen... 

Someone cares.  

God cares.

Psalm 55:22 “Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”

1 Peter 5:7 “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Isaiah 41:10

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Philippians 4:7 “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Finally, Jesus tells us:  

John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

You are cared about, loved, and watched over every minute of every day.  Thank God for that… keep your head up… and praise Him in the days of the home run AND the strike out.  You’ll be back up at bat soon enough…  

*Ted W. Engstrom, The Pursuit of Excellence, 1982, Zondervan Corporation, pp. 66-67.

Missed Shots

Michael Jordan once said “ I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Has that ever happened to you?  You’ve dropped the ball when someone asked you to carry it.  You’ve missed a shot... Perhaps you feel the sting of failure as a parent... a husband... a wife... a student... or even as a child of God.   You’ve wanted to give up and quit... you’ve wanted to walk away... and you’ve wondered if God knew you were going through any of it.  Today’s verse is just for you. 

God’s word says that we are to run the race of life “with endurance.”  We are to be strong...steadfast...and determined.  Being sure all the while to keep our eyes on He who never failed... Jesus Christ.  Michael Jordan may have missed some baskets, but he wasn’t a failure.  You’ve missed a few things too... but I would define you in the same way.   You aren’t a failure.  People are counting on you to stay on your feet and keep at it.  The race God has for you is specifically yours... your lane... your time.  Run with faith.  Go at it with your head up, your eyes on God, and the thought of permanent failure banned from your vocabulary.  Will you slip up?  Sure.  Learn from it.  Fail forward.  God trusts you with your mission... He has given you potential... live boldly! 

Walk On

It didn’t matter what the weather was in Detroit… financially-challenged James Robertson did what he did every other day.  He hit the alarm clock and went to work.  But James’ story was a little bit different.   You see, James didn’t have a car.  No problem… take the bus, right?  Nope.  No bus routes were even close.   So Mr. Robertson did the unthinkable…. he walked.  Every single day… regardless of the weather… James Robertson traveled the 21 miles round trip on foot.   For 10 years, James did whatever it took to get him to his job… in fact, he had perfect attendance!

One day, financial executive Blake Pollack had seen enough.  He had passed James every day on his way into the city and made the decision to do something to help him.  He started picking him up and taking him to his job each day.  Pollack shared the story with a friend of his, Evan Leedy… and together they started a GoFundMe page on Robertson’s behalf.  Hoping to raise the $5000 needed for a used car… the result surpassed even their wildest dreams.  They didn’t raise five thousand to help James… they raised $300,000!  Just recently they presented the car of James Robertson’s dreams to him… a 2015 Ford Taurus.   James said he loved that car because it was “plain on the outside and tough on the inside…just like him.”  The rest of the raised money was given to Robertson as a reward for his decade of diligence and great work ethic.  

Total strangers reaching out to reward the faithful diligence of someone they didn’t know.  

Now take a minute today and imagine your situation.  You may feel like James Robertson.  You’ve been working hard… plugging away… staying faithful when those around you have quit.  You spend your weekends serving and your nights making ends meet at a second job.  Your month seems to last longer than your money… your children are draining your patience and your health isn’t what it used to be.  Yet you keep on walking.  You keep getting it done.   You won’t accept not having something as an excuse to not get where you need to get in life.  

If that’s you… keep going.  God’s got you.  Steph and I have been there and know that it’s hard.  But you can do it.  

Keep honoring God with your resources… keep sacrificing temporary comfort for long-term gain.  Keep pouring out love and forgiveness to others when they haven’t earned it or deserve it.  

Keep going.  Regardless of the weather… keep going.  I can promise you this… someone is noticing your efforts.  Someone has been driving by and sees you climbing yet another mountain on your way to your destiny.  Someone has been walking by you and taking notes.  Someone sees the tears of frustration and lifts you up.   Someone you already may know. 

It’s God.

God knows.  He sees you.  He will provide a way.   He will provide reward.  He will make things right.

You just can’t give up.  

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9)

James Robertson walked to work for 10 long years.  That’s 54,600 miles before his situation changed… 

Every day wondering if it was worth it.  Each footstep crying out for him to turn back.  But he kept on.   It’s time for you to keep going too.  You may be facing the blizzard of divorce… or the flood of financial instability…. or the hailstorm of bad relationships… or the blistering heat of loneliness and isolation.   

Keep on.  One foot in front of the other.  

God is sending a driver to pick you up soon.  

His blessings are on the way.  

Breakthrough is coming.  

You just can’t quit.   

Walk on friend.  Walk on.  For someday the journey will shorten but the character built by the trials will last forever.  

Driving

I was talking with Steph a few days ago about my driving.  She says it’s… how should I say this…not my greatest strength.  I’m not that bad!  My hands may not be at 10 and 2 all the time  but I keep the car on the road and get us where we need to go safely!  It’s funny how things work.  Just after we finished chatting about my driving, I ran across this story about a woman and her unusual driving choices… 

On a dark Friday evening, Prionda Hill made a choice.  She decided that she was going to release the wheel of her car and let God steer.  Literally.  She completely removed her hands from ten and two and told God to guide her vehicle through traffic.  The outcome was less than ideal.   A motorcyclist by the name of Anthony Oliveri was the unfortunate victim of Prionda’s decision.  He later told police that when he saw the car coming directly toward him, the only thing he thought was  “This is the day I die.”   Fortunately, he didn’t.  While his injuries were serious, Anthony survived that crash… and Prionda is now facing several serious charges.  

Is that how God operates?  Does He tell us to completely remove our hands from the wheels of our lives?  Is He apt to recommend that we just “let it go?”  Many would say yes.  We say “Jesus… you do it!”  or “God… he/she’s all yours…”  But is that Biblical?  Does God tell us to release total control and let Him do it?  Is “Let Go and Let God” legit?  

No.  In fact the Bible says just the opposite.   2 Timothy 2:3 tells us to “Endure hardship…”  Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand…” Finally, 1 Peter 1:7 says that our trials reveal our level of faith.   

Our challenges strengthen us.  They burn away what doesn’t belong and reveal our toughness.  What we see as pain… God is using for our eventual good.  We read many times in scripture that Jesus promises to never leave us in our struggles… that He wants us to persevere through them… and why?  Because they are the very things that will cause us to build faith muscle that we will need later in life.  So the next time you feel like just letting God do it… don’t. Keep both hands on the wheel… and God will put His nail-scarred hands on top of yours… and help guide you through the traffic to your destination.

Not Going Back

On the Australian coat of arms is a picture of an emu and a kangaroo. These animals were chosen because they share a characteristic.  Both the emu and kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail. 

Backwards is nearly impossible for them... 

For us, sometimes it’s a different story.

-  We go to church on the weekend... get filled with the joy of the Lord... and then Monday comes with its expected stress.  It’s enough to move our strength backwards.

• We go to a friend for comfort... get some much needed perspective... and then let the enemy convince us to wrestle with it some more.  It’s enough to make our faith move backwards.  

• We try to get past our past... pray through the painful memories... and then go right back to those old behaviors.  It’s enough to convince us that our lives are backwards.

Two steps forward... leaps and bounds backward.

Jesus has a different purpose for our lives.  Look at what He tells his disciples:

Luke 9:57-62  [emphasis mine]

“As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”

The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead!  Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”

Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Jesus called them forward and they obliged.  Then it hit them....

Wait Jesus, I have to....

Hold on Jesus, first I need to...

Hey Jesus, can I go back to...

Hesitation to full commitment.  Jesus saw it in their hearts.  

There seems to always be a reason to serve God half-heartedly.

• We aren’t sure He can do what He claims to do every day...not just Sunday...so we forget about His daily provision, grace, and joy.

• We doubt that things will ever change in our life.  So we choose worry over worship.  

• We realize we can’t change the past... so we voluntarily allow it to define us.

One step forward in Christ... only to be shoved backward by the lies of the enemy.  

The temptation for some is to follow Christ with one eye on His promises and one on what they think they can control.   Jesus tells us to press on... don’t look back... and never GO back.  Where you were brought you to who you’ve become.  No need to regret past mistakes, ancient history, or painful memories.  

Christ clearly says... 

Follow me... Keep your eyes fixed on what I am about to do....Focus on where we are going together.  Move forward... not backward.   Come to my open arms... don’t backtrack to the pain you’re familiar with.  Serve Me with your whole heart... head up... one foot in front of the other.  Don’t compromise, retreat, or surrender.   I have great things in store for those who refuse to turn around and stare at the past hoping it will change....

Don’t give up an inch of what God’s allowed you to be victorious over...  Allow the mistakes of your past to give you wisdom and perspective when dealing with the present.  Gain ground by spending your time refocusing not regretting.  Commit 100% to serving Him and letting Him lead.   

Take your next step down the path even when you don’t see where you’ll put your foot.    It will be solid ground... He promises it.

Let’s commit to moving forward together... with Christ... no matter what.