By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
Do you remember your first car? Mine was a yellow Dodge Duster. Everyone could see me coming. Probably a good thing, since I was a new driver.
I remember being excited to finally have my very own vehicle. My parents were wise to have me and my siblings share in the responsibility of big purchases like cars. We were much more careful knowing it was our money going down the drain if we didn’t take care of it.
My dad helped me pick out the best car my $400 could buy. He made sure it was mechanically safe, because that’s what good dads do. I was more concerned about it having a working radio and whether it looked good driving down the road. I’m not going to lie; bright yellow was a little hard on the eyes, but since there were no major dents or rust, I let it slide. Besides, how it looked wasn’t nearly as important as the fact that it gave me something I’d been waiting for my whole life—freedom to go and do what I wanted.
My used car didn’t have all the modern conveniences we take for granted today. No air conditioning, power windows, power locks, or power steering. Everything was manual. Here’s something interesting I learned about cars without power steering. It’s nearly impossible to turn the wheel when the car is sitting still. However, when the car is in motion, you can turn the wheel easily, with one hand.
While I’m not prepared to explain the laws of motion and friction creating such an impediment, I will share the basic principle it taught me. It’s easier to change the direction of an object in motion than one at rest. A reality that carries over to our walk with God.
The other day a friend shared that she was feeling stuck in a particular area of her life and was unsure of the way she should go. She needed God’s direction, but despite her many prayers, she still didn’t know which way was best. I’ve been there myself many times. What about you?
As she poured out her heart, a mental picture of my old Dodge Duster came to mind and I remembered the principle of my car being easier to steer while it was moving. I told my friend that maybe she just needed to start heading towards what she believed could be the right way, and if it wasn’t God’s best, He would redirect her.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it'” (Isaiah 30:21).
What’s true in the physical realm is true in the spiritual. It’s easier for God to change our direction when we are already in motion verses when we are standing completely still.
Friends, God gave us freedom to go and do. Yes, He has a plan and purpose for our lives, but He also gives us the freedom to choose. Don’t let fear or procrastination keep you from moving forward. God is good. He will direct you in the way you should go, just like He did for Abraham.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
Keep your hands at ten and two, put it in drive, and press the gas pedal. The Holy Spirit’s power will steer through each twist, turn, and obstacle along the way.
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