The past few months have caused many of us to seek deeper, reflect longer and look further regarding the things of our life and our relationship with Jesus Christ. I have read blogs and devotionals that have challenged me, confused me and blown my mind.
At the very heart of me, there is a relatively simple girl and many times God reveals Himself to me in really simple ways. Sure, I can be deep and theological but, sometimes, when the things of the world are so overwhelming and I can’t see straight or worry weighs me down... God speaks to me so that I will really understand. That happened just not too long ago.
Feeling fairly confident that we had seen the last of the snowfall/snow-melt season, we decided it was time to wash the memory of old man winter off our car. And, what better and more fun way to do that than the drive through car wash? I am not going to throw anyone in my family under the proverbial bus or in this case SUV but, just to clarify, it wasn’t me behind the wheel.
Approaching the car wash bay, there is a mirror angled so that drivers can see the tire as it lines up with the track. Though this mirror had been pointed out to the driver, they failed to heed the provided guidance and attempted to feel their way onto the track.
“Am I on it?” the driver impatiently asked me. “Can you go look?”
Once again, the mirror was mentioned.
As the car started to pull forward, only by grace, a bit of confidence settled in the driver. However, just as quickly doubt loomed. “I don’t like the way this feels”, the driver tugged on the steering wheel.
“Crack!” That didn’t sound right. The tires were spinning and yet the car ceased moving.
Vehicles were piling up behind us, frustration was growing with embarrassment not far behind. It is hard to think straight at a time like that. Flagging down an attendant, she came and provided guidance to get us back on track.
Is it just me or is there a metaphor screaming at you? (or maybe a country song)
Once emotions settled, I could see clearly how that experience, at times, parallels my walk with Jesus. Let me retell it.
Approaching life’s decisions and difficult times there is the Bible, Word of God, meant to provide guidance that keeps us or gets us on track. So many times, I fail to heed its wisdom. Friends and loved ones may draw my attention to the Word but, in my arrogance and impatience, I pull forward on my own, trusting my own feelings. There are so many times, (though I have wronged Him) my gracious Heavenly Father gently pulls me back on track and asks me to trust Him. But as He moves me through tough times or confusing situations, I don’t like the way it feels and so I tug on the ‘steering wheel’ of my life. Then I really get myself off track! My wheels are spinning but I am going nowhere. Things get backed up, frustration mounts and I feel humiliated. Yet, when I flag down the attendant to my heart and soul, the Holy Spirit, He comes alongside me and lovingly, without reproach, guides me back on track. And in the end, I come out clean!
We are in a time when we need to trust God and we need to stay on track with the Word that He has provided us. In our impatience and sometimes fear, we tug on the wheel and want to find solutions on our own strength. At the beginning of the Covid crisis many heard God very clearly speaking 2 Chronicles 7:14 to His people. We need to get back on track with this verse and this directive from God.
God says He will heal the land if His people humble themselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.
Now is not the time to doubt God’s Word or to trust in our own ability to manage this crisis or keep ourselves on track. Hand the steering wheel back to God; He designed the track and He knows the way.
