“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
“What are you doing? Do you see what’s happening?”
Just some of the distressed pleas poured out of my heart to the Father, as I try to desperately understand His continued silence in one area of my life. I can see His hand moving in so many things I pray about, but this one burden remains. Taunting doubts try to creep him “he’s ignoring you.”
I recently had to drive my parents somewhere. We were on a two-lane highway and an oncoming truck veered over across the double lines. I saw the vehicle and started getting over onto the shoulder of the road to avoid a head on collision. My dad was in the passengers’ seat. He saw the truck and knew exactly what I was doing. But my mom was in the back seat. Her perspective was different. She couldn’t understand why I was driving off the road. A plethora of emotions ran through us all.
My dad was quick to defend me. Bringing attention to the fact that I was paying attention and responded as quick as I did to avoid what could have been a fatal accident.
I’ve been driving for over thirty-five years and consider myself a good driver. However, once I had explained my actions to my mom it made me stop and ponder.
“Is that what I’m doing to the Holy Spirit? Am I being a back seat driver?”
I could see what was coming towards us as the driver. But in the back seat she couldn’t. I needed her to trust that I was watching out for her and to relax for the rest of the drive.
When we’re going through a painful season in life – our perspective – plays a huge role. Our feelings (our understanding) can’t be the driver.
If we’re allowing the Holy Spirit to have total control and “drive” the situation – that means we should trust that He sees everything. He sees the dangers all around us. He has a reason why He sometimes guides us to move this way or that. He puts the brakes on a situation when we’re wanting to mash the gas. He yields when our hearts cry out “please answer this prayer now”.
When my heart is heavy with unanswered prayers, I need to take that hurt and lay it at His feet daily – trusting that He sees what I do not. Otherwise, anxiety will overwhelm me into a frantic “back seat driver.”
He continually shows me a beautiful view from the backseat. I need only to sit back and enjoy it.
Father teach us to trust that you see everything that is happening in our lives. Our perspective is different from yours. You are not asleep at the wheel.
For His Glory,
Laura Holmes (www.ephraimministries.org)
TRBC Women’s Life
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