Letting God Take the Driver’s Seat

In Matthew 16:24 I read, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.” (The Message)

The key to stress reduction in my life is to let go and let God. I do this by making Jesus the manager of my life.

The problem is, I usually want to be the manager of my own life, and so I argue and disagree with God. I think I know what’s best. The reason I’m under a lot of stress is that I’m constantly fighting God in my mind, “I know God says to do this, but I want to do that instead!”

Every morning when I wake up, I have a decision to make: Who’s going to be in charge of my life? Who’s going to be in control, me or God? Who’s going to call the shots, me or God? Every day, moment-by-moment, I’m making this decision. When I choose to make myself the manager of my own life, it causes conflict, confusion, and stress.

Jesus says in Matthew 16:24, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am” (The Message). Here’s what I tend to do: When I became a believer in Christ, I gave him the driver’s seat. But then I promptly hop into the backseat and become a backseat driver. I’m constantly giving him advice like, “No, turn this way. Stop. Wait. Faster! I want to go that way. I want to see that sight.”

My life doesn’t look very pretty when I’m trying to help God lead. Instead, let God be God and make Jesus the manager of my life.

In summary, If I’m going to follow Jesus, I need to let him lead. The key to stress reduction is to let go and to let God. I do this by making Jesus the manager of my life. The problem is, I usually want to be the manager, and so I argue and disagree with God. I think I know what’s best. The reason why I experience a lot of stress is that I’m constantly fighting God in my mind. Each day when I wake up, I have a decision to make: Who’s going to be in charge of my life. Who’s going to be in control and who’s going to call the shots, will it be me or God? When I choose to make myself the manager of my own life, it causes conflict, confusion, and stress. I may think I gave him the driver’s seat, but in reality I promptly hop into the backseat and become a backseat driver. Life doesn’t look very pretty when I’m trying to help God lead. Instead, I need to let God be God and make Jesus the manager of my life.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, and doing well and making a difference in my new job.  I pray all these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

God Is My Shepherd

In review of Matthew 2:6 it says, "‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:6 NIV

Bottom Line:

From Bethlehem comes one who will be a shepherd to the People.

What this means to me:

Jesus had been foretold and and fulfilled what was written by prophets. He came to be my shepherd and to guide me as well as others.

This verse reminds me that Jesus is not only my shepherd and protector but also my leader. Just like a shepherd who both guards and leads his flock, day and night, Jesus desires to lead me.

The thing I most struggle with is letting God lead me step by step each day.  In order to do so, I must recognize when he speaks and to be willing to follow Him wherever He leads. In John 10:27 NIV, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

In addition, while I may recognize His voice, I’m not sure I’m always willing to listen. I often let my life get to busy for me to hear when God is gently whispering instructions.

As I reflect, I think the things that keep from hearing the Lord are my own selfishness, wanting to do my own thing, letting temptation draw me in and just getting too occupied in myself and what I’m doing at the moment.

I’ll need to be open to what he is saying to me. I should complete it and then wait for his next set of instructions.

This morning I pray: “God, thank You for Your willingness to lead me on my journey through life. Forgive me for not taking the time to be still and listen for Your voice. I am so sorry that instead of asking You to guide my life step by step, I have only ask You to approve my own plans from time to time. Father, because You are worthy, I commit today to listen carefully and obey You immediately. Thank You for being a merciful Father. Today is going to be a good day as I follow Your leading! Amen in Your mighty name.”

“I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalms 116:1-2, NLT)