On cruise control

This is my first blog of hopefully many to follow.  I’ve wanted to create one for a while now; it’s sort of an offshore storage facility for all my thoughts that don’t fit well into songs.  My most recent insight occurred on my weekly drive back from the valley back into Anchorage.   Not far you might say, but especially tranquil at night when it’s dark and there isn’t so much traffic around.  Anyway, very shortly into the drive I decided to cruise for a bit, mainly just because I was sick of having my foot on the gas.  Cruise control has its ups and downs for me, which probably sounds ironic because cruise control is supposed to be this steady thing but humor me for a second.  For instance, when you are headed up a hill the RPM’s increase so that you can remain at the same speed.  This is exhilarating because you suddenly feel like you are going much faster and it gives me the feeling that I am no longer in control.  Those of you who know me probably know that I don’t necessary like exhilarating things.  I also like being in control.  For some reason, unbeknownst to me, when my foot is on the gas I feel as if the speed is somehow lessened.  I feel comfortable.  Safe. 

Shortly thereafter I decided to regain control of my journey and revert back to the comfort of having my foot on the gas.  However, I soon realized that I was traveling well above the speed limit (Mom, you didn’t read that), and suddenly saw my road woes in a new light.  My desire for control is a false sense of security.  While under my own guidance I was being more reckless than while under the guide of cruise control.  I feel like many of us, myself included, go through our lives in this fashion.  We shove God aside, put our foot on the gas, and head down the road that we choose at the speed that we want.  God becomes the backseat driver we don’t listen to but blame if something goes wrong.  He is waiting for us to give up the drivers seat and turn on Christ control if you will, because after all He is in control.  It won’t always comfortable, but then again God never promised us a Christian life would be comfortable.  All in all, letting God take control and going along for the ride is more fulfilling and gets us into less trouble and sorrow.  Let me clarify that going along for the ride is not just simply drifting through life, but quite the opposite in fact, I’m talking about embarking on the ride of your life that will take you far from the freeway of complacency and down the narrow dirt road of life.  Driving down our own path towards our own desires can only lead to more problems, much like driving too fast can land you a ticket (which I’m thankful I didn’t receive).  Riding shotgun with Jesus isn’t always comfortable or easy, but I guarantee you it is worthwhile.  He has a sure destination, and we can take hold of every opportunity and have joy in every moment we’re alive.  Needless to say, I took my own insight to heart and embraced my cruise control the rest of the way home, while soaking in the inspired lyrics of Switchfoot.  Cruise control allows me to slow down and take stock of what is important.  I think I could get used to it.