Rookie at the Wheel

"I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1,2

I sat behind the steering wheel of a cream colored, four-door sedan. I have no recollection of the make or model, it just so happened to be the car for my driver's education class during the second semester of my tenth grade year of high school. I was nervous, to say the least. I had not driven a car since turning fifteen a few months prior and I was hoping the teacher, a big, burly football coach, would not be privy to that information. I thought I might could act the part of a well established seasoned driver, I mean, how hard could it be, right?

There we were, a man I hardly knew, his large frame crammed into the seat opposite me with a notepad and pen in hand (I thought he should free his hands to be able to grab hold of the wheel in case things went awry but...we'll do it his way; to each his own...I guess) and a classmate sitting in the seat right behind me waiting expectedly for her turn. I was terrified but could not let those feelings show so I put a smile on my face and braced the wheel as confidently as I knew how.

I pulled out onto the open road with a death grip on the wheel, trying hard to get the feel of the pedals under my feet. I remember not knowing exactly where I was to focus my eyes. I looked from the road right out in front of me to far out into the distance, to back to the hood of the car. I'm sure the Coach had a different view on his first drive with me and if I could go back I would have laid my honesty out to him before entering the car, the fact being I had never been behind the wheel of a car in my life up to that moment.

There were a few scary events inside that vehicle that day. Coach kept reminding me of the speed limit and to slow down a little more when making a right turn, and then the resounding high pitched scream I might have heard come out of him when I pulled out in front of a mac truck. He told me to keep my eyes on the horizon so that I could acknowledge all that was between that space and the front of the car which helped me more than he will ever know. By the time I was to trade places with the victim that sat behind me, I gained a new perspective on this driving thing, and to my surprise over the years of reading God's Word how that correlates so much with the truth that makes up my life as a follower of Jesus.

When we need help, the Lord tells us to lift our eyes to the mountains (horizons). To focus on Him and to not look away. He is the God of details, letting us know how fast to go and where to turn and when there is a mac truck coming our way. He will steady us in the chaos that life brings and give us security and confidence that only He can give.

This life is hard. We don't know what we will face now, tomorrow or in the future, but God will support our heart with the hope of His promise if we call on Him. The Holy Spirit fills us with peace to endure and keep moving forward.

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Help me feel Your presence as I move throughout my day; my life. Remind me of all You have for me when this temporary home is over so that I will continue to lift my eyes to the mountains and train my heart on the things of You. You are mighty and strong. I trust in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.