Who’s In Your Driver’s Seat?

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

 © God’s Breath Publications

 

Many years ago I had to stay and work later than usual. I finally got things finished and got in our new van to leave for home. Darkness was beginning to fall as I traveled down Main Street in Cottonwood and headed towards the on‑ramp to Interstate 5.

 

As I got close to the ramp, I noticed a pair of headlights coming from the other direction. As our two cars got closer, I noticed the lights coming toward me were veering into the turn lane in the middle of the road. I assumed the car must have been getting into the middle lane to prepare to turn onto the road leading to the stockyards in Cottonwood.

 

Well, I assumed wrong. At the last minute I realized that the car was veering not only into the turn lane, but also into mine also. Only seconds elapsed as the large old red truck careened towards my side of the van. I grabbed the steering wheel and whipped the van to the right. I don’t remember what happened, I might have closed my eyes, bracing for the impact. Time seemed to stand still, and then there was a loud crash. I opened my eyes and noticed that my car was aimed in a different direction. My knees hurt from hitting the dash and my neck hurt from the velocity of being impacted by the huge truck. I looked down and noticed the van’s motor was still running. I tried to turn the motor off, but the keys were jammed.

 

I then looked up and noticed that the large red monster of a truck, which had traumatized me and my van, was driving away into a muddy field. As I watched, I noticed the truck began to turn and head back in my direction. I watched and assumed that the driver must be turning around to come over and discuss insurance coverage.

 

Well, I assumed wrong again. As the truck completed its U-turn it began heading towards my van again, I noticed it was not slowing down. My next thoughts were that the driver must be mad and must be trying to kill me. Just before the truck crashed into me a second time with even greater force than before, I noticed something. The driver was not behind the wheel. I saw a silhouette of a man in the truck, but he was sitting in the middle of the truck, not behind the wheel. The truck had no one guiding it AT ALL!

 

CRASH ‑‑ BANG ‑‑ CRUNCH!!!!!!!!!  These were the sounds I heard as the truck of destruction hit me again.

 

I crawled out of my van and went over to the truck which had finally came to rest, stopped only by what appeared to be the twisted hulk of my new van. I opened the passenger side of the truck and a strong aroma of alcohol poured out. The man was drunk as no one had been drunk before. He was barely conscious, but unhurt. I asked if he was okay and he responded in a slurry voice that he thought so. I sent him to a nearby video store to call the police while I stayed and watched our cars.

 

Not too many people believe me when I tell them this true story. Even my dad doubted me until I showed him the tread marks in the field and on the road where the truck had turned back to hit me again.

 

The reason I tell you this story is to ask you who’s behind the steering wheel of your life. Is Jesus leading your life? Are He and His Word guiding your path? Is His Spirit ruling the decisions you make and the road you travel? Or are you like the drunk driver, driving aimlessly down the road of life running the risk of hurting yourself and others?

 

Unless our Father in Heaven is the center of our lives, unless we seek His counsel as we make our decisions, unless we pray to Him for guidance in our decisions, unless we put His will before our own, you run the risk of a damaging accident. I say accident, but I almost laugh at that word. When we say someone had an accident, we often think it was a freak happening, something we had no control over. But as you think about it, how many of our accidents are not accidents, but paths chosen by our irresponsibility or the poor choices of others. The Bible is a guide book on how to live to glorify God as well as how to live our life abundantly and glorify God.

 

Again I ask you, “Who’s in your driver’s seat?” Consider these verses below as you attempt to answer the question. If you are in the driver’s seat I would hope you would move over and allow Jesus to do the driving.          

 

Proverbs 2:1‑9

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair‑‑ every good path.”

 

Proverbs 4:5‑15

“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake

wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.” Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.”

 

Proverbs 15:19

“The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway”

 

Matthew 22:36‑39

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”