How often have you uttered, "Jesus, take the wheel!"?
For me, it's been many. There are too many to count or even begin to remember. Many of us say that without any more thought to what we just said, let alone think about what it really means. Many proclaim that prayer of desperation but undervalue who we ask to take the wheel.
The statement paints a picture of a woman in deep anguish, crying out, "Jesus, take the wheel!" with tears streaming down her face. She feels desperate and helpless, with no one else to turn to for help. Despite her cry for help, she still clings tightly to the wheel, unable to give up control and admit defeat. She wipes her tears and continues to drive down the road with her hands on the wheel, solving nothing.
I have a vivid image of this woman because I have seen her personally in my own life.
I have been that girl before crying out to Jesus, but what I was missing amid the crying was Jesus gently and ever so softly saying to me, "My dear, I want to take the wheel, but you must let go."
When we say/pray, "Jesus take the wheel," what we are asking for is a divine intervention in a situation beyond our control. For Jesus to take the wheel requires us to let go of the wheel and move into the passenger seat. It requires us to allow Jesus to take control and be the driver in our lives as we take a back seat.
Which involves our surrender to His Will, not our own.
If you are a control freak like me, giving up control may be the death of you. I have to remind myself often that my Father has my best interest at heart and would never steer me in the wrong direction.
Quick reminder:
“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” — Proverbs 16:9
We have never had total control in the first place.
When we say "Jesus, take the wheel" but still keep our hands on the wheel, it's like saying "AMEN" to something we agree with but not fully committing to because we don't understand the depths of the meaning of the word.
We throw that word around nonchalantly and don't give it a second thought.
Amen in Hebrew is שיהיה and means 'so be it'.
Let's take a look at a moment Jesus uses Amen.
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."
Jesus gives us "The Lord's Prayer," and He meticulously places the words "Your will be done" amid the prayer and ends with Amen, so be it."
It's a prayer of surrender.
𝙰𝚖𝚎𝚗, 𝚜𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚒𝚝, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚝?
- GodKulture
We must surrender ourselves to God's power, control, and possession over our lives. We must let go of the wheel and acknowledge that His ways, plans, and will are far better than anything we could ever come up with. Our Heavenly Father always has our best interests at heart and wants us to grow in trust and love for Him.
When we cry out, "Jesus, take the wheel," what we really mean (if we mean it) is Jesus, I give you permission to come in and take control of my life. I surrender to Your Will, Way, Plan, and Love for me.
You know what is best, and I do not!
Are you ready for that?
Jesus take the wheel, but do you mean it?
Amen, so be it, but do you mean it?
It makes me think of another prayer in the Bible where we see Jesus having His own "Jesus take the wheel" moment. Jesus knows what is about to happen. He is in a state of deep desperation, experiencing levels of stress we will never even come close to experiencing. So much that Jesus sweats blood. He knows what comes next... His crucifixion.
Despite the desperate anguish, He seeks His Father's help, still surrendering to God's Will.
Take a look:
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
No matter what, Jesus knows that His Father's Will and plan is better than His own.
Take a deeper look at what happens next:
"An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him."
We know how the story ends; God's Will is done.
God doesn't take away Jesus' suffering; what He does is send Angels to strengthen Him, to get Him through the most challenging time of His life on earth.
He does the same for us, but we must surrender to the fact that Father knows best and He will always do two things:
Whatever it takes to bring us closer to total dependency on Him to grow us into a deeper, more intimate, and trusting relationship with Him.
Whatever brings Glory to God.
When we cry out, "Jesus, take the wheel," God's goal is to get us to relinquish control (surrender) and allow God's Will to be done to bring glory to God. To make us depend on Him and deepen our relationship, to grow us deeper in love, and to have more intimate moments with our Heavenly Father.
We must get to the point of surrender and let go of the wheel.
Are you ready?
Do you mean it?
𝒫𝓇𝒶𝓎 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓂𝑒:
Heavenly Father, I thank you that I don't have complete control over my life because I know I would cause a mess. But I am thankful that in my free will when I do make a mess, You are quick to come in and help me clean it up. Lord, I thank you for your provision over my life and that you have my best interest at heart. Humble me, Lord, allow me to see the areas of my life that I need to loosen my grip and move into the driver's seat. Help me surrender to Your perfect plan for my life. Father, You know best, Lord, I trust You, and I love You.
In your holy & precious name, I pray, Amen.
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