Let Jesus Take the Wheel
Dear Friends,
I love the Carrie Underwood song, "Jesus Take the Wheel." It speaks to something we've all felt at times. When the world around us seems to be breaking and everything is falling apart, we turn to Jesus for help. This thought gave birth to the bumper sticker theology that suggests that wherever we go, we should take Jesus along as our co-pilot... just in case.
Carrie sings, "Jesus, take the wheel. Take it from my hands 'cause I can't do this on my own. I'm letting go. So, give me one more chance and save me from this road I'm on. Jesus, take the wheel." The song suggests that both her car and her life were spinning out of control. That when she admits that she can't do it on her own.
Let's be honest: If that was us, we'd be singing with her, "Jesus take the wheel!" There are times in life when we reach the end of our rope. There isn't anything else to grab onto. That's when we call on Jesus. ​He is the option of last resort. We invite him in to take control ​because we have exhausted every other avenue and ​need Jesus to help us get back on track.​
Why is it that most of us are like the woman in the song? We wait until the last minute to ask Jesus for help? The truth is that life can be more satisfying when we invite Jesus to take the wheel from the beginning. Instead of asking him to sit by us while we drive off the cliff, why not invite to get in the driver's seat right at the outset?
I will never forget my visit to Australia in 2008. A friend picked me up at the airport. He asked if I wanted to drive. I said "No" and then proceeded to go to the right side of the car. "Did you change your mind?" he asked. It was then that I realized that in Australia the cars were set up backwards from what we have in the States. The driver sits in what we consider the passenger seat.
I like that imagery when I think about Jesus getting in the car with me. I want to let him have the wheel ​a​t the beginning of each day's journey. If we started our days asking Jesus to lead the way, I believe our lives would be more fulfilling. Undoubtedly, there will still be problems to negotiate. Instead of reacting to them, Jesus would steer us through them.
Even more so, when we let Jesus lead the way, we will end up in situations where we can make a difference. He will lead us to people who feel left out. He will guide us to places where we can be a light in the darkness. He will direct us to opportunities where we can be the salt that changes the flavor of a situation. Isn't that better than what we've been doing? I ​believe it is.
​So let's invite Jesus to take the wheel every ​morning. Let him drive. Then we can then enjoy the ride​ and in the words of the immortal Dr. Suess we can say, "Oh the places we'll go!"
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See You In Church.
Pastor Cal