Without a doubt, I love a good road trip. The idea of leaving home with a full tank of gas, some road snacks, a music playlist and a few audiobooks with an open itinerary thrills me. Alas, it seems that such opportunities are becoming less and less frequent as my life progresses. And the daily commute doesn’t offer quite the same level of adventure as the open road does. For now, this free spirit will settle for an occasional family vacation and enjoy the drive time.
My deep desire to hit the road makes me wonder: Am I driving or being driven? Why do I prefer to be behind the wheel? What compels me to traverse the unknown hills, highways and hazards?
This could be a good segue into Jesus Take the Wheel. Cue the music…. Nope. Not going there.
Consider the road trip. The driver is in command of the vehicle. Passengers go along for the ride. Do the ones being driven (passengers) backseat drive? Do they notice the scenery along the way? Do they see the signposts? Do they help navigate? Do they sleep? All of the above?
Being driven requires us to put complete trust in the driver. Imagine that you call for an Uber and Jesus shows up. Hang on for the ride! When life feels like you’re going full speed ahead, you wonder if Uber driver Jesus has given YOU the wheel as he needed to adjust his sandal. Panic sets in. You can’t do that! Help me, Uber driver Jesus! But he’s there all along to assist. (Remember that he slept in the boat during the middle of the storm?) It seems it takes situations like this for us to admit the true source of our strength and our complete reliance on the driver.
But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6) Driving or driven? Driven and tossed by the wind of the Spirit, trust the driver. Be alert. Take notice of the scenery. Marvel at the master’s handiwork. Watch for those signposts, markers on the faith journey. Go with God.