Giving God the Wheel

Being that this is Lent I guess it is as good a time as any for confessions. My confession: I like to be the driver when I am going anywhere. I know I am not alone in this control issue as many, male and female alike, prefer to be the one steering things. I like to drive because obviously no one can drive as well as me, maximizing traffic patterns and fast lines like I can, or knows the best and quickest routes to where we are going. Yes, I have an issue, I know… and admittance is the first step to recovery right? Well, let it be known I am willing, if asked, to hand over the keys. It would not be my first instinct, but I know it is possible to be a rider and not the driver.

I think one of the hardest parts of this “Surprise Me, God” spiritual experience we are all taking part in this Lenten season is the fact that we are being asked to give up the keys. It is not our natural instinct to let someone else determine where we will go. It rubs against our desire to predict, anticipate, and be prepared for exactly what is around the corner. It is so counter-cultural… yet it is very Biblical. Again and again in the Biblical narrative people try to control their destiny and God says, “give me the keys, trust me, you will be fine, in fact you will be better than fine.” Armies were sent into battle greatly outnumbered so the people could see it was God who was in control. Disciples were sent out with nothing but a pair of sandals to show that it was God who would provide. Children were set up as leaders to show it is God who gives wisdom and faith.

We have a plethora of witnesses who all point to the fact God does indeed do a good job of driving; actually a better job of driving than we, if only we will turn over the keys. Control issues are a funny thing because somehow we got the notion that we were in control of things when in truth, we never were.

I invite you to continue to turn over the keys, to slide over on the seat and let God have the wheel for awhile. You just might be amazed at the places God takes you. I know I have. Just say, “Surprise me, God.”