“Is God your spare tire or your steering wheel?” I heard this quote recently and it has stuck with me ever since. Do we use God as a back up plan to run to when things go wrong, or are we allowing Him to lead and guide us daily? Who is in control? Who is holding the steering wheel of our lives? We can survive with out a spare tire, but if the steering wheel of our vehicle goes bad, the whole thing is worthless. We need God to be in the driver’s seat of our lives in good times and in bad.
When I was in Bible College years ago I took a class called “The Minister’s Wife.” It was taught by the president’s wife of the college. It was awesome and oh so practical. I learned a lot! She gave us the realities of true ministry and what to expect. She promised good times and bad and equipped us to be prepared for both.
One thing she did in particular still sticks with me today. Before she started each class she had us sing a song. She said she wanted this song to be cemented into our spirits so that some day when we needed it, it would be tucked inside of us. It goes like this (from what I remember)…
The Lord knows the way through the wilderness and all I have to do is follow
The Lord knows the way through the wilderness and all I have to do is follow
Strength for today is mine all the way and all that I need for tomorrow
The Lord knows the way through the wilderness and all I have to do it follow
I remember singing this several times over the course of my life. Sometimes it was at the kitchen sink doing dishes feeling distraught and overwhelmed by life, other times it was driving in my car crying over invisible wounds inflicted by others, in the shower, on a long walk… wherever I sang it, God showed up and brought His peace to calm the storms of my life and heart.
God doesn’t promise that when we give our lives to Him that our life will immediately become easier. He does however promise to walk with us through all of life’s journey. No matter what you are facing today, God is faithful!
My husband and I have faced a lot together over the course of our almost nineteen years of marriage. We have faced the good, the bad, and the ugly. We have been hit with financial hardship; transition in jobs, miscarriage of a child, health problems, family conflict, and the daily stresses of all that life likes to throw at us unexpectedly. We decided a long time ago that we were not going to allow the circumstances of this life to ravage our marriage or suck the life out of us. We are just going to hold our hands a little tighter together and brace ourselves for the ride.
Circumstances can rip a part lives if we let them. We have seen marriages destroyed by financial troubles, the loss of a loved one, by allowing work to become a priority over God and family, and the like. Little by little and day by day hearts became disconnected. This doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process of choosing to withhold elements of your life from one another.
My husband and I share everything with each other. It is our safety net from temptation. Satan attempts daily to uproot families and marriages. We are choosing to fight for ours! Sin loves darkness. It grows best there. That is why we keep everything in the light. We don’t hide things from each other. We share our feelings, speak our minds, and cover each other in love and prayers.
Ephesians 5:12-14 says… “It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible.”(NLT)
Even in some of our most difficult seasons, we have tried to be examples to our children of what it means to hold tightly onto Jesus and each other. We have shared what was necessary with them to help them learn to trust God for themselves. People are watching us whether we realize it or not. They are learning how to live for God by our lives. What are we teaching them?
I am currently leading a ladies small group at my church based on the book I am writing, “Surviving Life’s Mud Puddles.” I am learning a lot. These ladies are incredible examples of God’s ability to do something amazing with our availability to Him. Before each group starts I play a song to help prepare our hearts. I want it to be cemented into their spirits. Some day, I assure them they may need to remember this (Sound familiar?…LOL). It goes like this…. (I Lift My Hands by Christopher Tomlin)
Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are fortress for the weak
Let faith arise, Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me
Let faith arise, Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes
Let faith arise, let faith arise
Open my eyes, open my eyes
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart
These things, I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
Let faith arise, Let faith arise
Choose to trust God in all seasons of your life today no matter what you face. He is faithful! Let God be your steering wheel and not your spare tire. He has some amazing places to take you and He is the only one that knows which direction to go. Trust Him with the details of your life. You will never regret it!
Deuteronomy 31:8 says..."Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (NLT)
Living to leave a legacy,
Julie
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