You’re Not in the Driver’s Seat

Read Matthew 16:21-28

This is the time when Jesus made clear to His disciples it is now necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem where in He will suffer from the hands of the religious leaders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life (v. 21). Hearing this from Jesus, Peter took him in hand, protesting, “This shall never happen to you!”

And most of you might be familiar with what Jesus said to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns (v. 23).” Then Jesus reminded the disciples that if any of them wants to be His follower, they must stop thinking about their own motives and desires. They must be willing to carry the cross that is given to them for following Jesus Christ. In the MSG version, it says, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.”

This truth reminds us that in whatever circumstance, we are to let God be God. In humility, we should let Him lead us. In relation with the current events, whoever the new elect leader will be, let us not forget to let God be God in our situation. Elections will not change the truth that God is the only absolute authority. He is still in control. In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him (Proverbs 21:1). Our calling as ambassadors for Christ will remain the same—to spread the blessing of the Gospel as we allow God to transform us, and to unite all in love for God is love.