Driven

Let it go, give it to Him. Jesus will warm your steps with confidence and a joy that lasts forever. 

Psalms chapter 40 verses 2 and 3.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praise to our God. Now many will hear of the glorious things He did for me, and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in Him.

When you are driving, you may have an idea where you are going but on the way you are thinking about all sorts of things. It could be the pressures of your life or it could be the item in which you are planning the best route out for. 

   We are warned constantly about texting and driving because that takes our eyes and concentration off of the surroundings ahead. It is so easy to be distracted. The vehicles we drive are so much faster now then they were before and things can happen so quickly. The list of reasons behind an accident happening is always going to be there, but we can do our best to be aware and pay attention to what we are doing. That way we are prepared to respond if a response is needed. Slow down and stay focused.

   Our lives are busy. Everyday we are expected to do something. Either we are going to a job, getting the family ready for another day, shopping, preparing food or maintaining the stuff we have, we are busy people. So what happens when we feel overwhelmed or like we have missed out on something we think we deserve? You are trying to cope and get along but those feelings are masked so that others do not see the real you. And it does not get any better. Those feelings are preventing you from the truth.

   When driving you are moving forward. You do not know what is over the next hill or around the next turn. You may have driven it before and are confident enough to let your mind wander, and your thoughts to fill your time. There is a song called, "Jesus, Take the Wheel" It is about crying out to Jesus in our times of despair and giving all control over to Him. Have you come to a point in your life where you feel helpless, wondering if God can help you? 

   It's not easy and you already know in the back of your thoughts that it will not be easy, to let God guide you, trusting in Him to live up to His promises. In Isaiah chapter 58 we are asked by God to share our food with the hungry and bring those who are helpless, poor and destitute into our lives. We are to clothe those who are cold and asked to not hide from relatives who need our help. If we do this God will shed His own glorious light upon us. He will heal you, your godliness will lead you forward and goodness will be a shield before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer, "Yes I am here," He will quickly reply. All you need to do is stop oppressing the weak, and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors. 

   See, I told you it will not be easy. You face troubles and attitudes everyday, and you have become bitter, hardened and defensive. Guarded and aware of those who want to take from you or stand in your way of getting what you want the way you want it. It is interesting to watch Jesus do what you could not. It is so interesting that it takes any doubt you may have had and replaces it with jaw dropping awe.

   Lets go back to the car idea. You have given control of your life over to Jesus and now you are sitting in the backseat watching everything that is happening. As a passenger, you go about doing other things besides totally paying attention to what is going on around you. You are confident and trusting that the person who is driving, is going to get you where you want to go safely. 

   You have to watch that you do not get to comfortable. Yes, you have called out in desperation and you have been amazed, and Jesus has proven Himself to show interest in you and your life. But that does not stop the world from going by. Jesus was there in your time of need, now He wants you to take back control, with your eyes upon God, where He gets to watch you, shine as God's child. 

   In Isaiah chapter 55, God speaking through the prophet says, "As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is My Word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to, and prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace." 

   Jesus has taken the wheel and has shown you the new path upon which to take. You see God and you see the way He has touched your life. You feel His love and the joy you have, is now extending His love through you, as it did Jesus. His Word has touched your life and others are also being affected by your actions. They like the life you have and you love giving praise and worship to God for all that is happening. Even the tough times have become tolerable, because God is your focus.

   The pot holes, the curves, the slippery conditions, the belting rain, the blinding snow and the loss of visibility are overcome by the light that is all around you. God is with you. You are no longer in the backseat watching Jesus lead you, now you are up front, with Jesus beside you, as you drive through the up's and downs, and around the curves always enjoying your conversation with the one right next to you.

   Thank You Father for Jesus. Take the wheel and show me what it is I need to learn. 😊

       

Malachi chapter 3 verses 10-12.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in My Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won't have room enough to take it in! "Try it! Let Me prove it to you! your crops will be large, for I will guard them from insects and plagues. Your grapes won't shrivel away before they ripen," says the Lord of Host. And all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land sparkling with happiness. These are the promises of the Lord of Hosts. 

Ephesians chapter 5 verses 1 and 2. 

Follow God's example in everything you do just as a much loved child impersonates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ's love for you was like sweet perfume to Him.   

Isaiah chapter 40 verses 4-6.

Fill the valleys; level the hills, straighten out the crooked paths and smooth off the rough spots in the road. The glory of the Lord will be seen by all mankind together. The Lord has spoken---it shall be.      

We cannot overcome the pressures and temptations in our lives if we do not become worshipers. 

When we have a problem, we should do what we can do and then trust God to do what we cannot do. So give yourself and your worries to God, worship Him and begin enjoying the abundant life He has for you.