Are You a Backseat Driver in Your Faith Journey?

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Backseat Driver

Usually, when you prepare for a road trip, there are three main characters you'll encounter: the driver, the passenger princess, and the backseat driver. I’ve been all three at some point, but the one most people have to deal with—and the one that can be the most inconvenient—is the backseat driver.

The passenger princess is just as the title suggests: royalty. This person doesn’t have a care in the world except to relax and enjoy the ride. They’re usually asleep for most of the trip, whereas the backseat driver won’t feel at ease until the ride is over and the driver has driven exactly how they want them to.

Learning to Let Go: When Jesus Is in the Driver's Seat

Struggling to Surrender the Journey

I have to admit, in this season, I’m the backseat driver. I have so much to say about the length of the drive, the speed, the stops, the detours, and the overall destination. It’s as if the driver hasn’t been driving for a long time—but the truth is, I just don’t like being in the back, not in control. Even when the driver says, “Sit back, relax,” I ask myself, How can I? when I don’t even know where I’m headed.

In case you didn’t pick up on it—I’m talking about Jesus, the Driver.

Losing Control Finding Faith

I used to pride myself on having a vision and a plan. And now? I don’t know if He’s following what I wrote or doing something completely different. Every suggestion I make feels like… just that—a suggestion.

“When will we get there?”

I just get a “Soon.”

For more information: read How Long Lord?

I would love to be the passenger princess: enjoy the ride, talk to the driver, take naps. But… (I literally just paused while writing this, trying to find a “but.”)

Jesus doesn’t want me in the backseat of my life—frantic, holding on, telling Him how fast or slow to go. He wants me up front, enjoying the scenery, talking to Him, being myself—free from worry, control, and doubt.

The Spiritual Battle: Lies from the Enemy

The Enemy's Voice in the Backseat

The enemy wants me to think Jesus is a bad driver. That He doesn’t know what He’s doing. That He forgot where He’s going—or worse, forgot me.

Imagine going somewhere amazing, and the trip there was horrible—not because of the driver or the surroundings, but because you didn’t like the fact that none of it was your way.

I’ve cried so much. Said things to Jesus. Wondered if what I wanted still mattered.

Am I a hostage to the choice to let go of my life—or a beneficiary of the life that was paid for?

That's rhetorical by the way, I know the answer.

I couldn’t understand how one moment it was sunny when I thought I was the driver, and then—boom—heavy rain. A storm I wish we could have driven around, but instead we were on a one-way street.

I’m not necessarily happy at this very moment. But I want to be especially when peace, love, and joy is my driver.

I don’t always feel those emotions, but Jesus should be enough for me to trust that I’ll get to wherever “there” is, safely.

If you struggle to let go as I do, pray this prayer.

A Prayer: Letting Go of Control

Jesus, help me in this season to trust You. Your plans are never to harm me, but to prosper me and give me hope for my future.

Help me let go of trying to be that to myself.

Upgrade me to the passenger seat of my life.

May I converse with You about my concerns—but then relax, knowing You’ve already heard me, and already considered them. Before words even leave my lips, You know them fully.

Help me enjoy not knowing.

Help me resist the lies of the enemy—the ones that predict the worst or speak of calamity that is not my portion.

May I find comfort in You, not in the things around me. In the truth that You want to drive me to my destination—safely.

May I accept Your pace.

May I wait patiently.

And in the meantime, open my eyes to know what to do in the moments when I’m not sleeping.

I relinquish control and sit in the seat of royalty—on Your right side.

It’s the safest place to be.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen.

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