Learning To Let God Take the Driver’s Seat

In review of Matthew 16:24 it says, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.”

Bottom Line:

Jesus said, if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, you must forget about yourself, take up your own cross, and let me lead.

What this means to me:

Jesus tells me that If I truly want to follow him, I must turn away from my own selfish ways, take myself out of the drivers seat and let him be in control.

Meekness is letting go of self and letting God have control (strength under power.) To do so will require that I make Jesus the manager of my life. The problem is, I’m used to being in control (a manager) of my life, and as such I don’t always agree with God. Often I think I know what’s best. A big reason for stress in life is because I’m 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, and who’s going to call the shots; me or God? Every day, moment by moment, I’m need to make that decision. When I choose to make myself the manager of my life, it results in conflict, confusion, and stress.

Jesus tells me 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” (MSG). Here’s the typical pattern: Become a believer in Christ, give him the driver’s seat and then promptly hop into the backseat and become backseat drivers. It’s like 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.”

Just like in dancing. Someone needs to lead and someone needs to follow. If both try to lead we’ll end up stepping on each other and not looking very good. Likewise, my life won’t look very good If I’m trying to lead with God at the same time. I just need to let God be God and make Jesus the manager of my life.

Today I will consider the details of my life that are most difficult for me to surrender to God.