Do you drive your car or does the car drive you?
Sometimes for various reasons I had to drive my two teenage sons to school.
My oldest boy Jonathan had been working for his Duke of Edinburgh Silver
Award and of course this involved hikes and camping which in turn meant rucksacks. This is why one morning I had to drive the
boys to school (there's hardly enough room for all of the pupils on their
school bus, let alone a number of rucksacks as well).
Everything went very smoothly and we even
left in very good time and they were early for school and I was back in time
for a 9am appointment. The boys even
praised me when we got to the roundabout on the way to school as I managed to
go round and take the right road.
Of
course I'm perfectly capable of negotiating a roundabout and I do know where
the roads in my city lead. However my
kids are quite used to me driving straight through that roundabout and taking
the other road that I travel on each afternoon instead of the one that leads
towards their school because I'm on automatic pilot. You know those times when you are driving
carefully enough but not concentrating enough to remember you have to deviate
from your normal route - don't you? My
excuse is simply that the car takes over and goes its own way.
Then there was the example of just the other day when I went round that same roundabout three times as I tried to remember which exit to take on that specific occasion, now I did have a friend in the car talking non-stop but I can't blame it all on her.
Then there was the example of just the other day when I went round that same roundabout three times as I tried to remember which exit to take on that specific occasion, now I did have a friend in the car talking non-stop but I can't blame it all on her.
Then there was the day a few years ago when as I was driving along I suddenly had to ask myself where I was going. Was I going to collect my daughter from Primary school as I did each day at 3pm, or was I going to my mother's house (they are both in the same direction)? As I thought about what day it was, and noted the time on the clock in the car I remembered it was neither of these, it was only 2pm and I actually was going to the Primary school but to collect my nephew not my daughter. Then I was to call with my mother before collecting Linda.
Obviously my mind wanders a lot.
So it's no wonder God has to catch my attention repeatedly.
How often do we go along on automatic pilot and forget to tune in to where and what God is telling us to go and do?
Are we doing everything the same, each day,
each week?
- Do we teach Sunday School or kid's club in the same way each week?
- Do we preach to the same format each time?
- Is our outreach approached in the same fashion each time?
- Do we plan our meetings in the same way each time?
- Do we even read the bible and pray in the same way each day?
- Do we write our blog posts in the same way each time?
Do you think it is time to stop automatically doing these things and treat each one as a completely unique event?
Maybe it’s time to consider the roundabout and carefully ask God which exit we are to take today, tomorrow, and the next day………….??
Maybe it’s time to consider the roundabout and carefully ask God which exit we are to take today, tomorrow, and the next day………….??
Each Wednesday I will be doing "A Dose of Encouragement" spot so why not drop in regularly and we can encourage each other.
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Joining up with Coffee for Your Heart
I totally hear you on automatic pilot while driving - I recently moved and have had to "re learn" my driving routes and have been forced to rethink through many routines. At first it was a real headache, but the change has helped me to refocus and re-prioritize many things in life. It is amazing how God can orchestrate such a small thing that impacts so much in our lives. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMarissa
http://raysofgraceandjoy.blogspot.com
Hi Marissa, I just went over to visit your site and recognised your signature so I know you must write on another site that I have been to, nice to meet you now.
DeleteSandra that is one exciting thought...entering a roundabout and not knowing what exit to take or what road God will lead me along... that's what I love about my relationship with Him I may not always know where I am heading but I can trust Him to be my Pilot.
ReplyDeleteJust again yesterday and today Fred and I were experiencing not knowing which exit in a certain matter but as you said it Amanda we can trust Him to know the right way.
DeleteOh, roundabouts! We had them in the state where we used to live, but called them "traffic circles." I hated not being sure where I was supposed to exit and being in the wrong lane to do it when I saw where! Angst! Nerves! It was a lot easier when I was taking the usual well-traveled route I was used to, and I could go (almost) on autopilot. My husband claims his truck has its own summer autopilot and he just can't win his fight with the steering wheel to keep it from turning in when it comes to a certain ice cream place on the highway! Yes, that autopilot can keep us from going where God wants us to go, and I was just thinking and journaling about such ideas earlier this morning. Those are great questions you ask at the end, and great thoughts throughout, all of which should make us stop and take to time to get God's direction clear *before* we get into the next roundabout! Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement Sylvia, watch out for the roundabouts.
DeleteI've totally gone on the whole autopilot thing...many times. But I haven't applied this concept to my non-driving life. Think I will bring this up with Jesus during my quiet time today.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, we need to talk to Him about everything don't we.
DeleteSandra, my brain is on auto pilot quite a bit these days, so your post made me smile. It's good to know I am not alone in the "crazy girl" struggles.
ReplyDeleteLove the verse from Matthew 7 that you shared. :)
Thanks for linking up at Thought-Provoking Thursday!
No Lyli you are not alone it happens to us all.
DeleteI used to really struggle with this Sandra, but as I have grown with God, he continues to refine me and bring me back to Him in the everyday, keeping my mind set on His ways. (Although I still get a little lost sometimes!) Thanks for sharing and linking up with #EverydayJesus!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Sharita. Keep your eyes on Him.
DeleteThanks so much for sharing those moments of autopilot we're all guilty of from time to time when we're driving. This post made me smile! I love the observation you've made about our spiritual autopilot - really thought-provoking!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Hi again Mel, thanks for the encouragement. I enjoy linking in with Essential thing devotions and then find I get caught up reading around so many posts.
DeleteThanks for this! While I started scaling back activities in my life last fall, there are still so many days that I do feel like I'm on automatic pilot. What a sweet reminder to Let the Lord take control & for me to get out of the way!
ReplyDeleteHello there, thank you for your kind words, I am so glad this post spoke to you.
DeleteWell, my kids and I had this same conversation just yesterday: when I get to driving I go on automatic pilot and end up a t my usual spots, even if that is not where I intended to go! It's a good thing they help me out in finding the right way. and you are right: I need to think about what I am doing and take nothing for granted! Thanks for your words of wisdom this Friday morning...
ReplyDelete:)
hugs x, Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique
Just back from visiting your blog and getting the free pattern to make that great bag. Thanks for dropping in with me and letting me know that my post meant something to you. Now I'm off to follow you on twitter and G+ etc.
DeleteHi there, I'm visiting from The Weekend Brew,
ReplyDeleteI have done this a few times and have scared the daylights out of me. I am a daydreamer so my mind can wander. :) I am learning to control this especially when in situations where something bad can happen, like driving. I love how you related this to hearing Father and going where He leads. Fortunately for me I tend to daydream about Him and His Word. :)
Blessings.
Hi there, thanks for dropping in. It's so important to be paying attention to where He leads.
DeleteI feel like my whole life is being lived on auto pilot right now, as I mentioned in my last post. I am leaning into Him for a fresh, new way of living. Thanks for linking up with The Weekend Brew!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbie, we need lean on Him.
DeleteWe are sometimes trapped in regular routines without any idea how to make each routine as something meaningful, special and unique. Consulting to God and involving God in any of these routines will make things more special. Thank you for sharing this meaningful thought. Waiting for your deep thought in Pintastic Pinteresting Party.
ReplyDeleteHi Adelien, thanks for your comment, indeed involving God in anything makes it special.
DeleteVery nice comparison of driving on automatic and living on automatic. May we all live fresh and abundantly every day! Thanks for such a thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy thanks for dropping in, I had a look at your site and added you to my circles. Thanks for he encouragement
DeleteSo you're encouraging us to shake things up a bit. :) Good advice! I can easily get into a rut and stay there quite happily, but it's also good for me to step out of my comfort zone and experience more of what God wants to show me.
ReplyDeleteHi again Lisa, yes let's shake things up and go where God wants us to go. I like to be comfortable but I have tried to challenge myself to getting out of the comfort zone at least twice a month
DeleteThose roundabouts get me every time, Sandra :). These are good thoughts to remind to be deliberate in our counting of the days. Very good advice :)
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, thanks for the encouragement
DeleteThanks for sharing on Whatever Wednesday on Thank You Honey! Hope you have a fabulous week!
ReplyDelete