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” (The Message).

Today’s verse comes from Matthew 16:24-26, in it Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit ff you gain the whole world but lose your soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

This indicates that following Jesus, means a true commitment, the risk of discomfort, maybe even death, and no turning back. Real discipleship implies real commitment, pledging my whole existence to his service and letting him be in control. If I try to save my physical life from death, pain, or discomfort, I may risk losing eternal life. If I protect myself from the pain God calls me to suffer, or a willingness to not die spiritually and emotionally. My live turns inward, and I lose my intended purpose. When I give my life in service to Christ, however, I discoverer the real purpose of living. When someone doesn't know Christ, they make choices as through there was no afterlife. In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity. How I live this brief span determines my eternal state. What I accumulate on earth has no value in gaining eternal life. Even the highest social or civic honors cannot earn a entrance into heaven. I need to evaluate my lifestyle from an eternal perspective, and discover values and decisions that change.

So how do I “let go and let God”? First, I make 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, “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? Who’s going to call the shots — God or myself? Every day, moment-by-moment, I’m making that 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). Quite often I give him the driver’s seat and then promptly hop into the backseat and become backseat drivers. 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 won’t look very pretty when 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.

Bottom Line:

To follow Him means to give up self and allow him to drive.

What this means to me:

If I want to be one of his followers, I must forget about myself and take up my own cross and let Him drive as I follow.

In summary, to truly follow him, I must give up my way, let him lead. If I try to old on to control it will only cause stress. I just need to pledge my existence to his service and let him be in control. Let Jesus be the manager of my life.

This morning Father I admit that I’m not fully letting you be in the driver's seat. I’m still trying to be a back seat driver and wondering why things are messy. Father I want to commit to putting you in control. You have given me lots of tools I can use to do things your way. I just need to get over my fear and my control and use what you have given me. This morning I pray for your wisdom and guidance in my work activities and leading those around me. Help me to practice what I’ve learned in the latest GLS and from “They way of the shepherd.” Give me clarity and focus and assistance in how I work and interact with others today. In you Son Jesus name I pray, Amen!