"Who's Driving This Thing?"
Who's Driving This Thing?
"Every worthwhile life requires intentional direction."
The Journey Begins
Every road tells a story. Some roads lead to breathtaking mountain vistas. Others end in dead ends. Some are carefully planned highways with clear signs and marked exits. Others are winding back roads where every turn seems uncertain.
Life is much the same.
Whether we realize it or not, every day we are traveling somewhere. Our marriages are headed somewhere. Our children are headed somewhere. Our relationships, careers, dreams, and faith are all moving in a particular direction. The question is not whether we are moving. The question is whether we are moving in the right direction.
Imagine climbing into a vehicle for a long journey. The destination has been carefully selected. The route has been mapped. The passengers are excited. The fuel tank is full.
But before the vehicle ever moves, one question determines everything else.
Who is driving?
The answer to that single question determines every turn, every stop, every destination, and ultimately every outcome. Many people spend years asking God to bless the road they have chosen, while never surrendering the steering wheel. Jesus never intended to become a passenger in our lives. He came to become Lord.
# Stop One
Take this into consideration, "every family is following someone."
Joshua stood before the nation of Israel during one of the most significant moments in their history. Forty years of wandering had finally come to an end. At last, the Promised Land stood before them. A new generation was preparing to inherit everything God had promised Abraham centuries before. However, before Joshua spoke about victories, battles, or blessings, he addressed something much deeper. Their hearts.
He declared,
"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness... choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
—Joshua 24:14–15
Joshua understood that tomorrow's victories would be determined by today's decisions.
He also knew that every family follows someone. Whether we acknowledge it or not, every home has a spiritual influence. Children imitate what they observe. Marriages reflect what they value. As a result, communities become shaped by what families repeatedly practice.
Hear us on this one, "Someone is always leading." The only question is whether that leader is Jesus.
Leaving Yesterday Behind
Joshua's challenge was surprisingly practical. Before Israel could embrace God's promises, they first had to abandon yesterday's idols. They could not carry Egypt into Canaan. Guess what, "Neither can we."
Modern idols rarely resemble carved statues. Instead, they often appear as success. At times it could be our own comfort and self-gratifying entertainment. Perhaps your control of things or even your career have developed into your modern-day idol. For some, it could be the need for approval or even being bound by fear. How about busyness? That's a huge one for us all.
Anything that quietly occupies the place reserved for God eventually becomes an idol. That's the point and here's the ask. The Lord continually invites His people to release what competes for their affection so they can receive what He has prepared for them.
Honestly, your new season begins with surrender.
# Stop Two
Your direction is always greater than you speed. It at times can be unfortunate because our world celebrates speed. We see it with ever increasing faster technology, faster promotions and instant communication. Two words for you, "immediate gratification."
Truth be told it seems that humanity admires movement while God values direction.
Scripture reminds us,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."
—Proverbs 3:5–6
Notice what God promises. He does not promise the quickest path. He promises the right one. Many people are moving quickly while heading in the wrong direction.
Jesus himself described two roads. One was broad, comfortable, popular and easy.
However, the other was narrow, demanding, and often lonely. Yet only one led to life.
Speed never compensates for the wrong direction. A vehicle traveling one hundred miles per hour toward the wrong destination only arrives there sooner. Likewise, ambition without surrender eventually leads us farther from the life God intended.
# Stop Three
Parents naturally desire to leave something valuable for their children.
Many work tirelessly to provide financial security, educational opportunities, and lasting possessions. These are noble pursuits, yet Scripture teaches that the greatest inheritance is not wealth. It is an example. Children remember what they consistently witnessed. They remember prayers spoken around the dinner table. They remember forgiveness offered during conflict. They remember the example of generosity, humility, faithfulness, and love.
Long after material possessions fade away, character will always continue shaping generations. Gran ahold of this truth, "your children may eventually forget what you bought them, but they will never forget how you followed Jesus."
# Stop Four
Your direction will always determine your destination. Psalm 127 opens with a timeless truth:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." Many people ask God to bless houses He never designed. Often times we even find ourselves seeking His approval after our plans have already been completed. Yet God's invitation has always been greater.
He wants to become the Architect. When God builds the home, every room carries purpose. Every relationship gains stability and every generation receives a stronger foundation than the one before it. So, remember this, "a surrendered foundation always produces a stronger future."
# Stop Five
Jesus Refuses to Ride Shotgun! Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding in modern Christianity is believing Jesus simply wants to accompany our lives. Many invite Him into the vehicle, but very few surrender the driver's seat. Consider the times you may have even said, "Jesus take the wheel!" Really what we ought to do is gift him the keys. Truly, Jesus never asked to become an accessory he came to become King.
His invitation remains unchanged:
"If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." —Luke 9:23
Following Jesus means exchanging control for trust. It means surrendering our plans, our ambitions, our fears, and even our definitions of success. Jesus cannot direct what we refuse to surrender. Every un-surrendered area becomes a closed road where His guidance is resisted. Don't go on any further on your journey and that be you. Remember, the Christian life begins not by adding Jesus to our schedule, but by placing every part of our lives beneath His authority.
The Final Decision
Before Israel engaged in another battle, Joshua urged them to make a choice.
Not tomorrow. Not after witnessing another miracle. Today.
Faith has always demanded a response. You see, resilient families make personal decisions long before facing public pressures. They decide in advance whom they will serve. We all need to do the same. Every family should firmly establish their convictions before culture attempts to sway them. This quiet commitment becomes a foundation for remarkable stability. Eventually, this approach with life transforms into a legacy.
Reflection
Take a moment and honestly answer these questions:
Every road leads somewhere. Every decision moves us closer to a destination. Today, like Joshua, we are invited to choose. Not merely where we are going, but who will lead us there. Rember this, Jesus never intended to ride beside us. He alone was meant to own the keys.
"Every worthwhile life requires intentional direction."
The Journey Begins
Every road tells a story. Some roads lead to breathtaking mountain vistas. Others end in dead ends. Some are carefully planned highways with clear signs and marked exits. Others are winding back roads where every turn seems uncertain.
Life is much the same.
Whether we realize it or not, every day we are traveling somewhere. Our marriages are headed somewhere. Our children are headed somewhere. Our relationships, careers, dreams, and faith are all moving in a particular direction. The question is not whether we are moving. The question is whether we are moving in the right direction.
Imagine climbing into a vehicle for a long journey. The destination has been carefully selected. The route has been mapped. The passengers are excited. The fuel tank is full.
But before the vehicle ever moves, one question determines everything else.
Who is driving?
The answer to that single question determines every turn, every stop, every destination, and ultimately every outcome. Many people spend years asking God to bless the road they have chosen, while never surrendering the steering wheel. Jesus never intended to become a passenger in our lives. He came to become Lord.
# Stop One
Take this into consideration, "every family is following someone."
Joshua stood before the nation of Israel during one of the most significant moments in their history. Forty years of wandering had finally come to an end. At last, the Promised Land stood before them. A new generation was preparing to inherit everything God had promised Abraham centuries before. However, before Joshua spoke about victories, battles, or blessings, he addressed something much deeper. Their hearts.
He declared,
"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness... choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
—Joshua 24:14–15
Joshua understood that tomorrow's victories would be determined by today's decisions.
He also knew that every family follows someone. Whether we acknowledge it or not, every home has a spiritual influence. Children imitate what they observe. Marriages reflect what they value. As a result, communities become shaped by what families repeatedly practice.
Hear us on this one, "Someone is always leading." The only question is whether that leader is Jesus.
Leaving Yesterday Behind
Joshua's challenge was surprisingly practical. Before Israel could embrace God's promises, they first had to abandon yesterday's idols. They could not carry Egypt into Canaan. Guess what, "Neither can we."
Modern idols rarely resemble carved statues. Instead, they often appear as success. At times it could be our own comfort and self-gratifying entertainment. Perhaps your control of things or even your career have developed into your modern-day idol. For some, it could be the need for approval or even being bound by fear. How about busyness? That's a huge one for us all.
Anything that quietly occupies the place reserved for God eventually becomes an idol. That's the point and here's the ask. The Lord continually invites His people to release what competes for their affection so they can receive what He has prepared for them.
Honestly, your new season begins with surrender.
# Stop Two
Your direction is always greater than you speed. It at times can be unfortunate because our world celebrates speed. We see it with ever increasing faster technology, faster promotions and instant communication. Two words for you, "immediate gratification."
Truth be told it seems that humanity admires movement while God values direction.
Scripture reminds us,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."
—Proverbs 3:5–6
Notice what God promises. He does not promise the quickest path. He promises the right one. Many people are moving quickly while heading in the wrong direction.
Jesus himself described two roads. One was broad, comfortable, popular and easy.
However, the other was narrow, demanding, and often lonely. Yet only one led to life.
Speed never compensates for the wrong direction. A vehicle traveling one hundred miles per hour toward the wrong destination only arrives there sooner. Likewise, ambition without surrender eventually leads us farther from the life God intended.
# Stop Three
Parents naturally desire to leave something valuable for their children.
Many work tirelessly to provide financial security, educational opportunities, and lasting possessions. These are noble pursuits, yet Scripture teaches that the greatest inheritance is not wealth. It is an example. Children remember what they consistently witnessed. They remember prayers spoken around the dinner table. They remember forgiveness offered during conflict. They remember the example of generosity, humility, faithfulness, and love.
Long after material possessions fade away, character will always continue shaping generations. Gran ahold of this truth, "your children may eventually forget what you bought them, but they will never forget how you followed Jesus."
# Stop Four
Your direction will always determine your destination. Psalm 127 opens with a timeless truth:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." Many people ask God to bless houses He never designed. Often times we even find ourselves seeking His approval after our plans have already been completed. Yet God's invitation has always been greater.
He wants to become the Architect. When God builds the home, every room carries purpose. Every relationship gains stability and every generation receives a stronger foundation than the one before it. So, remember this, "a surrendered foundation always produces a stronger future."
# Stop Five
Jesus Refuses to Ride Shotgun! Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding in modern Christianity is believing Jesus simply wants to accompany our lives. Many invite Him into the vehicle, but very few surrender the driver's seat. Consider the times you may have even said, "Jesus take the wheel!" Really what we ought to do is gift him the keys. Truly, Jesus never asked to become an accessory he came to become King.
His invitation remains unchanged:
"If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." —Luke 9:23
Following Jesus means exchanging control for trust. It means surrendering our plans, our ambitions, our fears, and even our definitions of success. Jesus cannot direct what we refuse to surrender. Every un-surrendered area becomes a closed road where His guidance is resisted. Don't go on any further on your journey and that be you. Remember, the Christian life begins not by adding Jesus to our schedule, but by placing every part of our lives beneath His authority.
The Final Decision
Before Israel engaged in another battle, Joshua urged them to make a choice.
Not tomorrow. Not after witnessing another miracle. Today.
Faith has always demanded a response. You see, resilient families make personal decisions long before facing public pressures. They decide in advance whom they will serve. We all need to do the same. Every family should firmly establish their convictions before culture attempts to sway them. This quiet commitment becomes a foundation for remarkable stability. Eventually, this approach with life transforms into a legacy.
Reflection
Take a moment and honestly answer these questions:
- Who is driving the direction of your life?
- Who is influencing your family the most?
- What "idols" are you carrying from yesterday?
- Have you invited Jesus into your life, and have you truly surrendered the steering wheel?
- What example are you leaving for the next generation?
Every road leads somewhere. Every decision moves us closer to a destination. Today, like Joshua, we are invited to choose. Not merely where we are going, but who will lead us there. Rember this, Jesus never intended to ride beside us. He alone was meant to own the keys.
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