"Do you want to go for a ride?" As a little girl, I loved going for a ride, especially with no particular destination in mind. We would all climb into the car, Dad in the driver's seat, Mom riding shotgun, me and my little sister in the back seat - the windows rolled down all the way. I don't think any of us tired of meandering down old country roads - with the happy possibility of a stop at the frozen custard stand.
Worry and fear had no part in those rides. I didn't wonder what would happen to us if the car broke down, or we got a flat tire, ran out of gas, or had an accident. Of course, when Dad announced "I think I know a short cut," we all settled in for a very long ride, looking at each other with big eyes.
I had complete trust in my Dad's ability to drive well and get us safely home. It freed me to look at the scenery - hair blowing wildly in the wind. I especially loved driving at dusk when darkness began to enclose us. I looked into the lighted windows of the homes we passed and in my imagination saw them - families, always happy and content.
God intends for us to live life just this way. He longs for us to know we can hop into the "back seat" and trust Him to take care of us. Far too often we worry about all the things that might go wrong. Instead of sitting back and enjoying the ride, we look ahead anticipating disaster at every turn or, even worse, we climb into the "driver's seat" and try to wrest control of the wheel out of His hands.
Incredibly, the Lord will allow us to drive - for as long as it takes for us to realize we don't have control. All the worry and fear in the world will not keep us safe from the inevitable troubles that lay ahead of us. They will come, and when we loosen our tight fisted grip on the whee,l the One who controls all things will take over. He will get us safely home.
"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
Blessings,
Linda
