When the song "Jesus Take the Wheel" came out in 2005, I was a young girl who looked up to Carrie Underwood and enjoyed any song by her. I own almost every single album she has ever recorded. Carrie has been a role model to me in so many ways. Little did I know how true her lyrics were then, and even more now, as I am venturing out into the world on my own.
"She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati on a snow white Christmas Eve. Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat. 50 miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline; it'd been a long hard year."
The song starts out by describing a daughter on the long road towards home. As she is driving, she is tired and "running low on faith" from the past hard year. In my life, these long hard years are replaced by long hard moments in my life, like when my great-grandmother passed away, when I moved three hours away from my family, and those days when nothing seems to be going right. These moments test your faith in every imaginable way, and sometimes your faith weakens (but don't worry, in the coming verses, you will have a complete renewal of faith).
"She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention. She was going way too fast. Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass. She saw both their lives flash before her eyes, she didn't even have time to cry."
These moments or years start building up in you, and all you can do is focus on the bad. You can't even pay attention to what is going on in front of you. As you worry about the troubles you have been through, your life flashes before your eyes, and all you see is more bad things happening. We start running from our lives.
"She was so scared, she threw her hands up in the air."
Then the point comes where you are too scared and just give up. You throw your hands up and say "I'm done." I experienced this one Sunday afternoon as I completely fell apart, too scared to even think straight. The next step is the biggest: do you trust in Jesus or turn away from him?
"Jesus take the wheel. Take it from my hands, 'cause I can't do this on my own. I'm letting go, so give me one more chance. Save me from this road I'm on, Jesus take the wheel."...."She bowed her head to pray. She said I'm sorry for the way I've been living my life. I know I've got to change, so from now on tonight."
This was the hardest part for me, because I like to be in control and have my life together. Asking for help is the complete opposite of having it all together. That afternoon I prayed for help and for him to "take the wheel." It wasn't easy, but a wave of relief came over me. That same day, I noticed phrases being said or actions being done that reminded me I am loved and that He is always with me. I also realized that living as if I am in control and can have my life work out perfectly is a complete lie. I have little to no control over the next day, let alone the next year.
I knew I had to give up my ways of trying to control, and honestly, it is a constant struggle for me. Although I still struggle, I see the beauty of letting Jesus have control over my life in the things I am starting to hand over to Him. It will be long road to relinquish everything over to him, but I am not alone on this path.
This song isn't just a story, it is my story. Maybe it's your story too. It might be your future story. Coming from someone who has been through it, allowing Jesus to take the wheel is the most refreshing and peaceful thing you can do. It helps you to see the bigger picture and not focus on the horrible things that have gone awry. Thank you, Jesus, for taking my wheel from me.
Now, sit back, relax and enjoy a beautiful song sung by a beautiful person about a beautiful Savior.
