November 09, 2012
Transformational Thought
There was an amazing breakthrough about 20 years ago in automotive technology. Generically, it’s called traction control. Practically, it means a computer onboard your car measures the amount of grip or traction of each wheel over a thousand times per second. Based on that measurement, the computer applies more or less power to each wheel, ensuring that the car moves forward under control … and most importantly, in the desired direction.
Amazing! This guidance and power is automatic. It’s built into the system. We do nothing extra to get this incredible life-saving service. With this at our fingertips, our only responsibility is to aim the car in the right direction.
I believe this how God blesses us with His power. On any given day, we may have trouble maintaining control, finding ourselves on a slippery slope, at risk of going in a direction we didn’t intend, and ultimately crashing. The more challenging your day is, the more of His power He places at your disposal. He continually senses (much more than 1000 times per second) where your mind and heart are and what your slippery road is like. In response, He provides His power in the right places, and in the right way. You don’t even need to ask … it’s automatic. That’s the Holy Spirit in you.
So the logical question is, why do I still make mistakes, sin, slide backwards, and fumble in these situations if God is providing all this traction, power, and guidance? The answer – you need to steer towards God. Just like a car, the power is useless if you don’t steer in His direction. You can’t look in the direction of pornography, alcohol, caffeine, food, work, ESPN, power, looks, money, gadgets, or toys. That’s not where God provides the peace and comfort that surpass all understanding.
Don’t steer towards the false roads, detours, counterfeit dead ends and destinations Satan and your old self offer. You have free will. Your direction and destination are determined by the decisions you make. That means it is your responsibility to control the steering wheel. God then does all the rest, so yield to His traction control. As you are challenged, so shall you be strengthened. Amazing!
Today if you struggle and don’t sense His power, the problem isn’t His lack of power. The problem is your steering. His traction power is always there. He never sleeps, slacks off, or goes on vacation. If you are off course, it’s because you are steering in the wrong direction. Wake up and look at the decisions you are making. Know that a simple glance and then a movement, a decision made in faith to follow your Lord, is enough to connect you to the ultimate source of guidance, power, and traction control. The direction you steer in is your decision, so choose well. Edging Forward is uniquely designed to help your decision-making so you will be steering in the right direction, maximizing His power in your life, and not squandering it. Check it out.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I look to You, with faith and thankfulness. Today my strength seems so insufficient for the demands I am facing. I look to You, Lord, for the strength sufficient to handle the challenges of this day. Thank You for Your traction control every minute, especially when I am losing control as the day gets slippery or windy. Give me eyes that see the truth and can find Your beacon directing me back to You. I also ask for wisdom as I steer. Give me courage and patience to see and follow Your direction and avoid the traps set before me. Thank You, Lord. All glory be to You! In the name of the one whose death gives me power over death, Christ Jesus; and all God’s children say – AMEN!
The Truth
Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be. Deuteronomy 33:25
Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore! Psalm 105:4
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9,10