“Jesus, Take the Wheel”

A popular Country song has a troubled soul turning over the steering wheel to Jesus. Many of us, I am sure, can identify with this song. When we come into danger or trouble, we ask the Lord to take the wheel. But is this the best course? Would it not be better to let God have the wheel all the time? Of course it would. We all know this. But we have a hard time letting go of the wheel.

Why do we have such a hard time letting go? Because we are afraid that if we let God have the wheel, he won’t take us where we want to go. He might spoil our plans. He might spoil our fun. He might steer us away from the sins we enjoy indulging. This distrust of God is what the Bible is talking about when it says, “Every man goes his own way.” This verse could be paraphrased, “Every man takes the wheel of his life and steers wherever he pleases.”

What a tragedy. Refusing to let God have the wheel is like walking away from a winning lottery ticket. Why would we not want the most loving, giving person in the Universe to steer our life? Trusting God with the wheel for our life journey brings blessings in this life — as actually knowing God and finding peace and joy far beyond what the world can offer — and the road he steers us down leads to the blessings of eternal life (John 10:27-29).