Jesus, Take the Wheel!
There comes a point in everyone’s life where we need to course correct.
Maybe things took a turn for the worse and spiraled out of control. Maybe you veered out of your lane chasing a short cut, only to end up delayed. Maybe you lost sight of the road. Either way, it might be time to stop, regroup, and redirect – before you crash.
It takes a lot to admit to yourself that you may have lost your way. To come to the realization that no one has betrayed you, nothing has stifled your progress, and God hasn’t forsaken you. Your priorities, decisions, and irresponsibility have led you here. So what now? Do you break down and quit or find a way to fix what’s broken? That’s the true measure of a man.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes: When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Now this isn’t to say that the depth of your circumstances aren’t real – but could it be that your perception of those events is what needs changing? What if it isn’t everything and everyone else? What if it’s more about you? Losing focus, settling for less, becoming jaded, and performing average, at best. These are all things within your control and they can exist completely outside of God’s will.
Romans 12:2 tells us: Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good and pleasing and perfect will. Meaning: It’s easy to get caught up in the world; becoming distracted, overindulging, and giving way to our flesh – but if this becomes our normative state of affairs, how will we ever reach our God given potential?
In Luke 14, Jesus is cited for telling his followers to count the cost of their discipleship and to think ahead about the weight of their life’s commitment. Likewise, as we prepare for various successes and trials in our lives, we too, must do the same. Being mindful, slowing to think about the gravity of our decisions, going to God for everything, and adequately preparing for each new quest. Because doing things out of haste can lead to costly mistakes. And if you’re in a similar position as myself, it’s probably time for you to get back on track.
So ask yourself, is it time to allow Jesus to take the wheel – leaving poor qualities and habits behind? Or keep gripping on the past — old people, places, and cycles — until you crash? Only you can decide. John 12:25 says: Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Choose wisely.