Luke 9:23-27
Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, we attended a benefit performance to raise funds for Autism Speaks. Did you know that a child is diagnosed with autism somewhere in the world every 20 minutes? At the performance, several family members spoke about living with someone who has autism. One mother told of moving her family from Florida to Little Rock so that her son could attend a certain school and receive necessary help. A little boy talked about his brother’s obsession with air fresheners… Febreze, Glade, Air Wick… and how sick he is of smelling a few of the “signature scents.” A dad talked about the wonders of hearing his son tell him “I love you.”
All in all, these families embraced their children – and the struggles that they encounter on a daily basis. I’m sure it’s not all a bed of roses for any of them, but you wouldn’t have known it on this day, as the families danced together on stage with a professional modern dance company in the grand finale.
In The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren says our question is not to be “Why me?” but rather “What do you want me to learn?” Truly, God is always teaching us… even in the most difficult moments of our lives. Moments of suffering and sorrow can often be some of the biggest opportunities for us to grow in faith and our trust in God and His promises. These can also be our times to shine for Jesus… as we share His love for each of us with others.
I have no doubt that the families that include an autistic child would like to have a few minutes with God to sit down and tell Him a thing or two. But the fact is, God already knows how difficult the challenges are for these children and the families to whom they belong. And I have no doubt that their struggles and challenges are lessened if/when they really learn to move over and let God “drive the car.”
We have such a hard time with this concept. WE want to be in the driver’s seat… but that is simply not where we Christians belong. We can never get things right like God can… we can never know what is truly best for our situation like He does… and we are foolish to think otherwise. We have to let God lead… we have to accept – even embrace – whatever He allows in our lives… understanding that we have a lot left to learn, no matter what age we may be.
So who is driving your “car” these days? Are you stuck in the “Why me?” mode… wondering “When is it my turn?” to be “footloose and fancy free?” Or have you surrendered your heart and life completely to Jesus, trusting that He has much for you to learn… and He will be with you every step of the way? The choice is really pretty simple… so why not go ahead and hand over the keys?!
©2011 Debbie Robus
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