Stop Being a Backseat Driver

Would you rather be the driver or the passenger? Do you feel more comfortable when you are in the drivers seat? Most people will say they feel more in control if they are driving.

How about when you are in an airplane. Would you rather be the pilot or the passenger? What’s that? You don’t know how to fly a plane? So you would definitely rather be the passenger in this case.

Why is it that we can trust the pilot of a plane more than we can trust someone else who is driving a car? Perhaps it’s because we know we can’t fly the plane better than the pilot, but we think that we just might be able to drive the car better than someone else. So we become a backseat driver, giving directions to the one in control of the vehicle.

From a spiritual perspective, we know we should allow God to be in the driver’s seat but we often try to take control of things. Why is it that we can’t seem to think of Him more as we do the airplane pilot and not as the car driver? How have we convinced ourselves that we are better able to manage our lives than God is? If we truly believe that God is able to do all He has promised to do, then we can trust Him to get us to our final destination unharmed.

There is an extra blessing that comes with allowing God to drive. While He is managing the journey, we are free to relax and enjoy the scenery. He has made a beautiful world, He has given us each an amazing life, but if we spend all our time trying to tell God how to drive, we miss the breath-taking beauty all around us.

“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.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

“How great is your goodness that you have stored up for those who fear you and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in you.” – Psalm 31:19 (CSV)