Moving Closer to God

I have had my “new” used car for about 3 months now. It is a black 2022 Honda Pilot Touring, and I really like it. I loved my Chevrolet Traverse, but it did not have any of the safety features Mike and I both wanted, especially since we are traveling more frequently to Delaware to see our grandsons. This Pilot has everything and more. We even have a DVD player. I told Mike that he could drive to Delaware while I watched movies in the back seat! Unfortunately, he didn’t find that very funny! Since it didn’t come with a manual, I ordered one, but this recent experience taught me more than what was in the manual for the Pilot.

I want to share with you the revelation God gave me by using this car to teach me about giving Him control and trusting in Him.

One night, Mike was driving home from visiting our grandchildren in NC. He began to notice that the lights were shifting or moving in some way. As we watched them, we realized that they would automatically dim for approaching cars and brighten when they passed. He didn’t have to do anything! When I asked about the rearview mirror, he said that it seemed to have dimmed the lights of the cars behind us.

When I took the wheel for the last 30 minutes, I experienced the same thing. The mirror was dimmed, and the lights were shifting automatically. Oh My! It was a little unnerving at first because I didn’t have control of those things anymore. I had to trust that the car would activate these functions automatically.

As I continued to drive, the Holy Spirit gave me a thought. This Pilot now has control over several functions which I was used to controlling myself. At first, it seemed strange to not have that control. Now I don’t have to worry or think about operating them the way I used to. The Pilot will take care of that to keep me safe and on the right roads.

God has a purpose for our lives. He lovingly and patiently prompts us to follow Him. Frankly, we are not equipped to handle what life throws at us without God. We are not always ready to hand over the steering wheel to the Lord because we want to be in the driver’s seat. We want to be in control. But we must give up that control, submit our lives to God and follow Him.

Look at the Honda's features and how they correspond to God’s safety features:

2024 Honda Pilot Touring Safety Features	God’s Life-Giving Features
Lane drift – vibrates steering wheel to alert you that you have crossed the yellow or white lines on the road	Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matt. 7:13-14 God alerts us to keep on the narrow path with Him
Cruise Control – Maintains your speed; no risk of speeding (depending on your speed setting!)	If we don’t maintain a safe speed through life, we’ll likely miss what God has to show us or teach us
While on Cruise Control - car will automatically slow down when you are within certain distance of the car in front of you	Don’t get ahead of God’s plans; trust Him
Headlights – automatically dim when cars are coming toward you and brighten after they have passed by	Your word is a lamp to my feetAnd a light to my path. (Ps 119:105) He will light the way for us to follow.
Rearview Mirror – automatically adjusts when cars are coming from behind so you are not blinded	God will take care of us. We need to turn our lives over to God and let Him take control; trust Him
Back-up camera –painted lines keep us on the right path	Sometimes we need to step back, repent, and then redirect ourselves forward into God’s Will
Approaching Object – Neon green sign shows objects in your blind spot	God protects us from things we cannot see; we must have faith and trust in God

I am very grateful for those who developed and created these safety features. I am learning to turn over the control of the car so I don’t have to worry about reaching for a button or light dimmer when I need them. I'm fine unless something happens with the electronics!

I am even more grateful that this won’t happen with my God. He will never fail; He is always working on my behalf; He is my support system that is constant; I can trust God to always be ready and available!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart    and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel