Chapter 28 – Jesus Take control!
I’m sure that most all of us know who the Country Music Superstar Carrie Underwood is. Early in her career Carrie had a hit song titled “Jesus Take the Wheel.” Great song, but what does it mean to give Jesus control of the wheel that is steering our life? I think it would be of great advantage for all of us to spend a little time investigating what that means and how do we accomplish it. Let’s start by seeking out a few of the Scriptures that pertain to giving control of our life to Jesus:
2 Corinthians 5:14–21 (ESV)
14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
It is very interesting how the God I serve often sets things up without us fully understanding what and why He was doing it. Here I am in the process of writing about putting our trust in the Lord to do the very best for us in all situations. Little did I know that today I would be faced with doing exactly what I am in the process of writing about! I vacillated back and forth on whether to share this publicly or not. But it is such a perfect example of what this entire post is about, that the Holy Spirit won! Without going into great detail, here is the test He has offered to me:
I had to take a break in working on this blog post to go to a follow-up doctor’s appointment. In a CT-Scan I had about six months ago, the doctor discovered a mass of about 23 centimeters on my right kidney. Today I had another CT-Scan to see if the mass was growing. Today’s scan showed that it had grown to about 25 centimeters. So… here I am faced with the exact thing I’m writing about. Will I trust in the Lord and allow Him to have the wheel, so to speak, in this situation?
The answer is a resounding “Yes I Will!”
So as to not leave you hanging, here is the good news:
The mass as the doctor described it, is still rather small, and is exactly situated on the kidney to be a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. Less invasive and quicker recovery. They will remove the mass while saving the rest of the kidney.
Here is the “God is in control of my life” portion of the story:
The mass on the kidney was discovered when the first CT-Scan was taken while looking for another, unrelated, issue that turned out to be fine. The doctor described it as an accidental discovery while looking for something else. At which time, my wonderful wife, Shirley, added, “or Devine direction!” We believe that is the type of thing that happens when we have given the “Wheel” of our life to the Lord! Praise His Holy Name!
Galatians 2:19–21 (ESV)
19For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)
9The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Thank You Jesus for being my Lord and Savior! Thank You for directing my footsteps. Amen.