“In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6
What’s God responsible for? And what are you responsible for? The answers to these two questions pretty much define how we think about God’s involvement in our lives. Some people claim to rely on God for every minute detail of life. Others believe God has little or nothing to do with the details or even the larger scheme of life.
I want to share with you where I am at this point in my life, and as you can tell I have shifted over the years. Back and forth. I have come to realize that the answer to the question: “Is God in charge of my life, or am I?” is yes.
Imagine your life is a car. You’re in the driver’s seat. The steering wheel is yours. It goes where you decide. Think of God as the navigator. Put Him in the seat beside you or in the backseat if you prefer. The point is, He doesn’t take the steering wheel out of your hand. He simply offers direction.
The real issue I must deal with in life is how much I listen to God’s direction. Frankly, I can drive my car into a ditch. I did that with my alcoholism. I felt I was in charge of my entire life, and when something went wrong I believed I had failed or blamed others for the failure. I drank to cover up the fear, anger, resentment, etc. The point is, as I took over, degree by degree, a distorted sense of responsibility and self-importance grew. I drove that car right into the ditch.
And God was still in that car with me. All He said was “Are you ready to listen now?”
With the love of my family, the help of some fine folks, and a lot of prayer (mine and others) God helped me get that car out of the ditch. We got back on the road, and while I still have the steering wheel, I’m much more careful to listen for the still, small Voice. I’m much more aware of the ways I can start talking myself into some crazy decisions.
I believe with all my heart that God is involved in my life and wants to bring me to a joyful and abundant life. I also believe with equal conviction that He has given me the awesome freedom to choose. I choose to listen Him and to steer where He directs. Life works.
“There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end is destruction” (Prov. 14:12). Been there. I much prefer acknowledging Him and trusting Him to direct all my paths (Prov. 3:6).
Grace,
Dr. Terry Ellis
July 20, 2014