Enjoy the ride

Mark's dad preached at Community of Faith last weekend. He is an amazing preacher with 50+  years of experience and wisdom to share. He spoke about how God uses failures in our lives. Sometimes when I listen to sermons just one comment or one verse can lead my brain on to other thoughts. I can't even remember now what was said during the message that spurred my thinking, but somehow I started thinking about God being in control of our lives; and the idea that we have to recognize and allow him to be in control. 


I started picturing what it would be like if I was riding in the car as a passenger and didn't realize that Mark was actually driving. What would happen? Well, as soon as I thought that no one was in control of the car I would have jumped into the driver's seat and shoved Mark out of the way preventing him from driving. I would have grabbed the steering wheel, jerking the car out of its lane and into oncoming traffic. As the car veered out of control I would have suddenly pulled the emergency brake, sending the car into a totally uncontrolled spin all while still trying to kick Mark out of the way. I would have been dodging other cars on the road, trying to avoid mowing down pedestrians. Finally, screaming after a long struggle, my emotions off the scale, sweat dripping down my forehead, and tears in my eyes I would have finally brought the car to a complete standstill facing the wrong direction. Then I would have looked at Mark and screamed, "Why didn't you control the car?" 


Of course, that's not ever really going to happen. If I am a passenger in the car I can plainly see who is in control. I know who's driving. I'm not tempted to jump into the driver's seat and take over. Doing so would only lead to disaster. But how many times do I do just that in my life? I fail to remember that God is in control, or maybe I don't want Him in control, thinking I can do things better; and I jump in, push Him out of the way, grab the wheel and begin the struggle to control a careening life. How much wiser it would be to look to Him, see that He is God, He is good, He is in control? Then I can just sit back and enjoy the ride! 


"You, Lord, are the God our ancestors worshiped, and from heaven you rule every nation in the world. You are so powerful that no one can defeat you." 2 Chronicles 20:6


That's who I want in control in my life, the One that no one can defeat!