When I was 15-years-old an extremely wise woman handed me a key and said, "Let God drive your car." This was a powerful experience for me, but only being 15, I didn't realize how true her words were. Now, as a almost 19-year-old about to start a new chapter of my life, I realize why God needs to be the driver.
"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." -- Ecclesiastes 11:5
1. You can't control everything.
God's plan will always be better, always. No matter how perfect you want your life to be or how hard you push for something to happen, God's will is what you should push for. Everything in my life has to have an order and purpose. And I have to have answers to everything. So as a Christian, I struggle with the times in my life where I feel unheard or I feel that my life is chaotic and I'm walking through this storm alone. But all of those things are what the enemy wants me to believe. Let the Creator of love, happiness, babies and most importantly you drive you. You may take a side road that has a lot of bumps, you may feel like God has completely gone off route and you're lost and there's no finding your way back. It's human nature to feel these things, but just rest in the peace of knowing He has a plan for you.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." -- Psalm 23:4
2. Nobody will love you like God does.
God created you. He created you to love others and most importantly to love yourself. Everything you hate about yourself, He loves. You're His child. He created you for a purpose and He only wants the best for you. God sees everything, your flaws, the darkest moments of your life; he hears your thoughts that you're too ashamed to admit and He still loves you. God’s love for us is so much more than we could grasp or ask for. That guy that didn't text you back or that guy that told you that you weren't good enough, he's not even worth your time. You deserve better, and God will give you better.
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." -- John 3:1
3. He will never abandon you.
God stays through the messiness of life. He stays for your highs and lows; He doesn't run when things gets hard. He never stops listening to you. He desires to hear about your day and your problems. Jesus wants an intimate relationship with you.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -- Joshua 1:9
4. His plan is greater.
God has a plan greater just specifically for you alone. And you have the free will to decide whether or not you chose to go down His path. Jesus loves us so much He allows us to turn our back to him. He doesn't want our love to be forced. Jesus wants us to come to him at our time when we're ready for him. He's waiting on us. Jesus Christ would walk through Calvary all over again for you. So when you take into consideration all of this love, how could you not cling to that? Trust in God even when man fails you. His plans will lead you to the your dream job, your wedding day, your future kids and your happily ever after. You have a vocation in life whether that be married life, single life, or priesthood. God has a calling specifically designed for you. Jesus is the author of your life. Find peace in that.
"For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -- Jeremiah 29:11
5. He will always accept you.
God accepts you at any point in your life. You don’t have to hide your mess from him, for He wants to be a part of your mess. God wants to help you clean up your mess.
“Come as you are my children.”
God wants us to let go of our sin, shame, failures, heartbreak and anything that is holding us back from the cross and give it to Him. There is so much peace that comes with letting go and giving it to God, trusting He will only help you. Surrender and let God drive.
"The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him." -- Romans 14:3
6. Jesus understands your struggle.
Anything that you’re going through, Jesus has felt that same pain. He’s been betrayed by friends. Jesus has been beaten, cursed at, belittled, striped of all his dignity, He has been through it all. Even through all of that, He forgave. In his last breaths He prayed for God to forgive everyone who had betrayed Him.
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
To love others in such an intimate way is powerful and inspiring. Talk to God about what you’re going through and He will lead you to healing.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” -- Psalm 55:22
There has been too many times in my life where I thought I knew best and took the keys away from God. Time after time I ended up lost and in desperate need for direction. God comes back in and graciously gets me back where I need to be. I for one tend to desire control, but if God isn’t my center, my life is total chaos. I need God. I needed Him yesterday, I’ll need him tomorrow, and I’m going to need Him forever. Let your Savior walk every step of the way with you. He will pick you up when you fall. He will love you unconditionally and forgive you over and over again. Let God drive your car, and you will never be lost.
"God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus." – Max Lucado
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” -- Ephesians 4:32
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” -- Proverbs 3:5-6