Is God Really in Control? Part 2

            Properly maintaining a vehicle in order for it to perform as intended requires special care.  The owner’s manual spells out the steps which need to be taken so that the vehicle will operate at an optimal level.  If these steps are not followed the vehicle will be inefficient and ineffectual in performing the purpose for which it was created.  Again, for us we must live according to our Owner’s Manual, following the Manufacturer’s instructions.  If we are lax in doing this we will find that we will be inefficient and ineffectual in performing the purpose for which we were created, knowing God and making Him known.

                If we add the wrong kind or amount of oil, radiator fluid or fuel the vehicle will malfunction or not work at all.  Just as we must be attentive to add these “life bloods” to our vehicle correctly, we must also be attentive to the Life Blood of our own life.  We must read our Bible.  We must pray; speaking to, listening to, and waiting on the Lord.  We must fellowship with the saints- preferring one another, loving one another, forgiving one another, submitting to one another, serving one another, enjoying the body of Christ.

                When the water floods the tread of our tires and causes us to lose traction, our wheels are riding on the flood waters, spinning along without capability of receiving guidance from or control by the driver.   The vehicle must slow down in order to have the chance to disperse the water that is flooding the treads.  This will allow the tires to have direct contact with the asphalt; guidance and control by the driver can be regained. When the circumstances of life flood our thoughts it causes us to lose our focus on God, our lives can be being lived according to these circumstances, spinning along without capability of receiving guidance from or control by God.   We must slow down and take the time to focus on Him, allowing our mind to be focused on the Lord, dispersing worldly thoughts that have been the cause of our losing focus.  This time spent focusing on the Lord allows us to have direct contact with the Spirit of God; guidance and control by God can be regained. 
                       When the steering wheel locks up, the driver cannot guide the vehicle in the proper direction.  It continues its course usually until a crash ensues.  When the steering wheel of our heart locks up the Driver cannot guide us in the proper direction.   We must yield our hearts to the will of God and trust that He will guide us.  This allows Him to be in control of our life and we can be comforted knowing that we are safe in His care.  
               As a vehicle is protected by wax from the acidic consequences of dead bugs and bird droppings that assail it so are we protected by the shield of faith from the acidic consequences of what assails us?  Just as we must protect our vehicle from decay by washing it and applying more wax, we must also protect ourselves by washing our minds with the water of the word and reapply our faith in each situation.

                There are safety precautions in the manual with warnings.  If they are not followed, death or serious injury may occur to us or to others.  The Bible contains these types of warnings/danger avoidance instructions for us as well.  We must heed these or risk dangerous consequences of walking against the Word of God.

                With a thorough reading of the Bible we will find that lives lived according to God’s plan lead to life.  Lives NOT lived in this manner lead to destruction and death.

The Bible is clear and true testimony that it is we who have control over whether or not we make choices aligned with God’s will.  Our choices have consequences, good or bad and they not only affect us, they can affect others.

                So ask yourself this of your own life, 

                          “Is God really in control?”