Letting Go of the Wheel

Proverbs 19:21 (NET) - There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand.

I am a guy.

As such, I enjoy watching sports on television,

I especially enjoy watching motor sports.

(Author’s Note: You are going to have to trust me. There is a purpose here,)

One of the great features in auto racing at the top levels is that sometimes a select group of drivers have cameras in their cars.

Danica Patrick often has a camera in her car.

Once, during a race, Danica got caught up in an accident that sent her car out of control.

Her car was heading toward the inside wall and try as she might, she could do nothing to prevent the collision that was to follow.

Moments before impact, Danica removed both hands from the steering wheel and raised them up to helmet level.

Due to the customized racing seat built just for her coupled with the restraining devices employed, she was only able to move slightly forward upon impact, but I’m sure it was not a pleasant experience hitting that wall.

Danica received some undue criticism from some fans who did not realize that releasing the steering wheel before impact was a planned maneuver and not a reaction to fear.

In fact, the very next week I witnessed Jimmie Johnson, a five time Cup Series champion execute a similar move under very similar circumstances.

There are times when even a seasoned professional driver knows he is going to hit the wall.

By taking his hands off the steering wheel, he avoids sending massive shock wave up his arms and thereby avoids injuring his arms unnecessarily.

Life can present us with unpleasant and even painful circumstances we cannot avoid.

We have a choice.

We can try to go it alone and try to maintain sole control of our lives by hanging on tightly to the wheel.

Or, we can take the other option.

We can let go of the steering wheel of our lives and turn control over to God.

We may not be able to avoid the circumstances, but we can get through them with far less pain and far less anxiety if we recognize that God is not only in control of the circumstances but our lives as well.

When we do, a remarkable thing happens.

We wonder why we fought so hard for control all along.


Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 18, 2012.

Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 25, 2012.

Schedule subject to change.