Psalm 32:8–9
“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

‭‭We got our current car about two years ago; Before this car, we’ve always owned fairly old cars, and this is the first one we’ve had with modern features. Being a gadget person, the novelty still hasn’t worn off for me. I like it when there’s a little beep and the screen tell me there are icy road conditions ahead. It’s great that the wipers come on automatically at the first drop of rain, and the headlights are also automatic. And as for Bluetooth!

But I think my favourite of all the features is ‘Cruise Control’. At first, it was a weird and unnerving feeling to press a button on my steering wheel and let the car ‘drive itself’.

My apologies to any motoring specialists for my somewhat simplistic description of cruise control. I think of it in a way of me driving in partnership with, working as a duo with, the car when I switch over to Cruise Control; with the car keeping the pace and giving the power to get to where we’re going and me simply steering and keeping alert for other motorists, cyclists, pedestrians etcetera.

The problem is, my feet seem to have a mind of their own, and keep wanting to go to the pedals! After all, they’ve been doing it for more than half my life, so it’s very hard for me to ‘re-train’ them to just relax and trust the car to do what it does best; drive. 

This is a bit like our relationship with theLord.

We can race through life on our own, choosing our own road and setting our own pace – maybe even picking up a few ‘speeding tickets’, perhaps crashing a few times along the way. Or, we can partner with God. Allow Him to set the direction and pace.
In Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus invites us to come to Him and lay down all the burden of stressing and striving – but it doesn’t stop there; He goes on to invite us to partner with Him,  by joining Him in the yoke. That yoke the oxen wore fixed two together; with one ox leading – usually the older, more experienced one, who would also bear the weight. This was first century cruise control!
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We are told in Psalm 32:8 “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life”
He also tells us in Proverbs 3:5–6 “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.”

‭‭Our feet want to take us down the paths that we are used to taking; paths that are familiar and feel safe. But God, in His infinite wisdom and unfailing love, knows EXACTLY where He is going and what He is doing and He says “TRUST ME”

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ )

‭‭Let’s turn on the ‘cruise control’ of our lives today and choose to trust God.

Jill McIlreavy 💜

(Updated version of my post ‘Cruise Control’ first published 30/06/2017)