LESSONS FROM A VEHICLE

Four years ago Rod and I traded in our 8-seater Ford Expedition for a little, sporty Buick Verano.  I cried at first. That big ole SUV carried more than just people, it carried a ton of family memories. Adventures, new beginnings, date nights, friends, visitors from other countries, wonderful times! But it was on it’s last “pistons” so to speak and it was time to get a new vehicle. So my sweet husband found me this cute, sleek car with all the bells and whistles, as he called it, and was so proud to bless me with it. It had blue tooth, touch screen, gps, back up camera, seat warmers, everything electric and computerized, and more ….. everything except space. Interestingly enough though, I myself was personally entering into a season of new things that required me to get focused. It was a time of not worrying about the million other people I love and want to always do things for and help, and to just have a small plate, focused only on the task that was set before me. So God used it as an encouragement, as well as a reminder of the season He was bringing me into. There were a lot of amazing experiences we walked into, some really incredible surprises and celebrations. It was like being blessed with so many “bells and whistles” in our lives that we had never experienced before. 

Then last year we came upon an opportunity to trade that Buick in for Rod’s dream truck! It is a bold red, 4-door flat bed truck with a Hemi! He got the truck and I inherited our youngest daughter’s car as she and her husband moved across the United States to live. Now I found myself driving a medium sized sedan, Honda Accord. No bells and whistles, no seat warmers, no back-up camera (had to relearn how to actually turn around and look to back up), no bluetooth, no fancy anything really, but it was extremely comfortable. Like a cozy blanket, I felt safe, confident and comfy in this car. It had just enough room to fit three of my grandkids in their car seats and the material seats made it super easy to vacuum up after them. If they made a mess or spilled something, I was completely at ease with no worries of them hurting the car. A perfect Mimi car. And once again this car represented a season in my life – one that I had grown comfortable with. A season where I kind of knew what tomorrow held and could make plans and go with the flow, and felt confident, safe and secure. A season where the boat wasn’t being rocked, the ground felt steady, life felt semi-predictable, and there wasn’t a lot of major challenging or stretching situations. I’ve been thankful God allowed me to have that season. It has felt good. It has given me a lot of peace and a huge breather. But we can’t stay in those seasons forever, because although there is a lot of peace and rest, if we stay in that nice cozy, comfortable place too long, complacency can begin to breed. As well as a self-reliance, laziness, and a heart that begins to slumber, a passion that carries only a flickering flame instead of a roaring fire for the Lord and the purposes He has for us. See peace and confidence should never be found in myself nor in my circumstances, nor be dependent upon the environment around me. It must always be found in the Lord and in my relationship with Him or soon I will feel as though I don’t need Him and become a prime target for the enemy. Lulled to sleep, bored, which often leads to wandering and giving into temptations that do not bring peace and joy at all in the end. 

Today though, as I was leaving to go meet some sweet new mamas over some coffee, Rod told me to use his truck. My heart jumped and felt a little giddy, as I love trucks! This could possibly be a little bit of ‘short person syndrome’ because it means I’m the tall one on the road looking down into everyone else’s cars – a bit of a power trip! I grabbed the keys, unlocked the door and went to climb in. This time though instead of just confidently jumping up into the big cab, I climbed up a little clumsily as I stepped onto the sideboard and had to fumble to find that handle above the door to kind of hoist myself up into the seat. Then I couldn’t reach the pedals – no surprise there! But it felt a little awkward as I’m sure I had to scoot the seat up even closer than normal just so I could press the gas and get the beast roaring! In those initial moments I found myself uncomfortable, feeling completely out of my element and not very confident. As I put it in reverse I questioned if I was even going to be able to judge how far to back up and the massiveness of this vehicle as I drove it down the road. I even felt doubt creep, wondering if when it came time to find a parking place at the coffee shop, was I going to be successful. It’s not like I hadn’t driven his truck before, but for some reason today it felt different. It felt like a challenge. I could feel the power of that Hemi engine as I pressed on the gas and suddenly was overwhelmed with the responsibility that comes with so much power. 

It was in that moment I felt God say to me that it’s time again for a new season. Change is in the wind! It is fall! But with the seasons changing in the natural, God is bringing some new things, fresh wind, fresh fire, a crispness in the Spirit. And He wants us to be ready. As I drove down the road I started thinking about this past week and what God has been stirring in my heart. I have had some self-evaluation time and realized I’d become comfortable. I’d become confident within my own stretch and reach and abilities that I wasn’t really being challenged, stepping out of my comfort zones, stretching my faith and really leaning into Him. It’s not a bad place but it can become a dangerous place if we linger there or overstay the season. He reminded me as I felt the power of the engine and the beauty of a “new level” of perspective, that He is calling me onward and into new adventures that was going to require trusting Him, relying on His power, supernatural power and strength, as well as taking on a godly perspective and shift in how I see things. We have been called to look with eyes of faith. We are encouraged that it’s okay to be awkward and clumsy and be out of our element because it is in those places of stepping into the unknowns, completely dependent on God, that He can reveal His power, His faithfulness, His promises, His presence, His protection, His provision – HIMSELF. 

As I parked, without hitting anything, I smiled feeling peace and joy, a supernatural comfort in my heart. This time it wasn’t because I was secure in my own abilities or environment. It wasn’t because I was nice and cozy in my own little bit of strength or comfort zone. It was because I know I serve a Big God, who is for me, who loves me, who has great plans and purposes for my life. Who is trustworthy and faithful. Who has the best adventures ahead of me just waiting for me to climb up into, and he’s provided some ‘sideboards’ and ‘hand rails’ to support me along the way! I only need to grab hold of His hand and get on board! The same is true for you! What vehicle is He calling you to step into?