In the early 1900’s a man was driving his Model T Ford outside of Detroit. He was driving along when suddenly the automobile sputtered and stopped. He opened the hood, and not knowing anything about automobiles sat there for over an hour trying to figure out what the problem was. Soon another Model T pulled up behind him, and the driver got out and walked up to the frustrated driver. “You seem to have a problem sir.” said the driver. The first driver replied, “Yes, but it’s no use, I can’t get it running – I’m sure you can’t do anything either.” The newly arrived driver walked over to the engine, tinkered around for a few moments and “VROOM!”, the engine fired to life and was running fine. He walked back to the now amazed driver, shook his hand and said, “My name is Henry Ford. Have a nice day!”
Obviously Henry Ford knew a LOT more about the Model T than that frustrated driver. After all, he had designed and built the Model T.
The same is true with our Christian life! God knows a LOT more about how to live our life than we do. We can sit here all day and try to figure out ways to not do what He commands us, ways to change Christianity to meet our wants and desires, and ways to not have to give up so much to follow Him, but like that frustrated driver – NONE of those things will work!
In Mark 8:34, Jesus was speaking to the people who were assembled, and the Bible tells us, “And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
You see – it’s NOT about US….It’s about JESUS! That’s the CENTRAL point to Christianity – following Jesus Christ! Nothing else matters.
You say, “Oh, but my career matters, who I marry matters, my finances matter…”! No – We are to follow Him. And when we follow Him, He will GUIDE us in all of those choices and decisions. Yes, they “matter”, but not the way WE think they do. Following JESUS comes first. But – UNTIL we follow Him, He can’t guide us. I know it’s a HUGE step to give up control of everything. I struggle with it myself…that’s not our human nature. But, that’s the way God works.
“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 your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” (Prov. 3:5-7).
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt. 6:33-34).
Just as Henry Ford knew exactly what to fix to get that Model T running, God knows EXACTLY what is important in our lives. It isn’t His goal to destroy and ruin our lives. No – He wants to give us the best life possible – by trusting COMPLETELY in Him and His Word.
Remember – you CAN trust Him! You have to step out by faith and do it though. We too often say “Yes, I trust God…BUT….” That attitude doesn’t work. We must trust Him completely.
Psalm 34:8 challenges us, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”