“I drive,” says our grandson as he gleefully establishes himself behind the wheel. Never mind that he’s two years old and can’t even reach the gas pedal. I imagine him thinking, “How hard can this be?” The poor guy is devastated when we plunk him into his car seat.
He also has fun twirling around on a desk chair and playing with an adult “puter.” It’s always an adventure for us to discover what random sequence of keystrokes he has discovered and then to figure out how to undo them. Two year olds are not at all intimidated by technology. 
Children have a built-in desire to imitate adults, and they can’t quite suppress their delight when they pretend to hold power and autonomy for even a few minutes.
A-ha! Let me at that computer before someone finds me!
Sometimes I do the same thing.
I get behind the wheel of my life thinking I actually know where I’m going and confidently declare, “I drive.” Or I think I can sit in God’s position and write my own story when all I will really accomplish is to complicate his perfect plan with my random keystrokes.
The tension between God’s sovereignty and our free will is beyond my understanding. He gives us the freedom to choose our routes and drive toward our desired ends, and he allows us to take wrong and foolish turns along the way. Still, he ultimately gets us to his desired destination.
I’ve learned that it’s easier for everyone if I just let him take the wheel.
“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Exodus 15:13
Do you think God should drive our lives? How do you manage the tension between depending on the Lord to lead us and yet making our own life decisions?
Connecting Dots...to God 
Great post, Judy, and equally fabulous shot of the sweet boy I assume is your grandson?
Of course I would say that I believe that God should absolutely be both navigator and driver. When Jesus reached the men casting their nets, he did not say “Come and lead me.” He said, “Come and follow me.” We are to follow His lead, laying our lives at His feet and trusting that He will answer in a way that speaks uniquely to our hearts. Whenever there is struggle in making a decision, I can usually trace it back to my own leash. Once I realize this, I can pray and transfer the role of leader to where it should have been in the first place. Thank God that it is a journey!
Blessings to you!
~ Cara
Hi Cara! It is a journey, isn’t it? I’m still trying to work out how to follow His lead and yet responsibly make the decisions he’s given us the intelligence to make. (And I have a tendency to over-think sometimes too:) You are so right, though, that when I find myself off course, it’s not because God sent me in the wrong direction but that I presumed to lead when I should have followed. And, yes, that is our grandson and he really does like to “drive!” So nice to hear from you! Have a blessed weekend, Cara. Judy
What a fine question – the tension between His sovereignty and my mobility.
It reminds me of Carrie Underwood’s song: Jesus Take the Wheel.
I know I can’t just sit in a parked car so I have to be willing to rely on God as my GPS.
There’ve been times that I was so afraid of making the wrong decision, I didn’t make one at all. I’ve found Him to be a very gentle corrector of my course when I start down the wrong road (as long as I don’t have the sound muted). 😀
I completely relate to that, Debbie. Once I prayed and prayed over a decision and really got no direction. Finally, I felt like God was saying, “You pick. I’m ok with either choice.” It was very freeing. And I also have experienced his gentle correction – emphasis on gentle. Amazing! Thanks for your thoughts, Debbie.
Oh Judy, I LOVE this! Your grandson is very cute, indeed, and I love that children are not intimidated by technology the way I am. I had never made the brilliant connection you did, between a two-year old gleefully saying, “I drive”–and my disastrous efforts to take the wheel of my own life. Oh, Mercy!! I’m glad to be older and considerably wiser than I once was–not that I think I’m immune from “wrong thinking and Big ideas” about what I might do. But I’m certainly more cautious and respectful toward Who is Really Driving My Life–God. I’m happy to have Him at the wheel–and perhaps because my life is not as complicated as others, I don’t feel much “tension” about my non-driving status. God and I had such an amusing chat last night, as I was about to fall asleep in bed–I don’t recall what suggestions I was posing for His consideration, but I well knew I wasn’t being serious, as did He. If I remember the topic, maybe it will show up in a poem! God bless you abundantly–and give that little guy a squeeze from Great Auntie Caddo!
Hi Caddo! I guess we all eventually figure out that God is a better driver and navigator than we are:) So much easier to chat with HIm when we’re not concentrating on the road ahead, isn’t it? (Note to self…concentrate on God, not on my plans…repeat…Maybe if I keep reminding myself I’ll one day do that effortlessly!) One hug for cute two year old coming up! Bless you, Caddo!
That is so true!! We are just like that with God aren’t we! LOL. Love it good analogy.
Good thing He invites us to come to him like little children!
Do you think God should drive our lives? How do you manage the tension between depending on the Lord to lead us and yet making our own life decisions?
One of three possible persons drive our lives: God, Satan, or ourselves. The last two are good buddies and should never be trusted because it’s hard to tell which one has taken over the wheel. Therefore, the only reasonable choice is God.
The tension is always there and may also come from our mates, families, and friends. Lord help us, huh? The only thing I try to do is try to live by my inner spirit. If I feel turmoil inside me, I stop whatever I’m doing and look for a better way. Developing the inner spirit takes time and lots of mistakes on a person’s part, both of which I’ve had plenty of over the last 27 years…and probably will have more of today and in the future.
Lord help us is right, Larry. I’m glad I’m not the only one to struggle with that tension or to make a mistake or two…or more. Have a great day, Larry.