I drove my first car—my parents’ 1959 Ford Station Wagon—when I was three-and-a-half years old. I was actually pretty good at keeping it between the ditches.

Perched on Dad’s lap, gripping the steering wheel in tiny fists, I would squeak out instructions as we puttered along the rarely traveled side-road near our house:  “Daddy, go faster! Daddy, stop…Daddy help!”

The urgent words were always swallowed up in laughter—both his and mine. I wasn’t really afraid. With all my preschool wisdom, I knew that Daddy would never let us run off the road. His strong hands would slip up, covering mine and making corrections. This was accompanied by his gentle rumble in my ear—easy; keep your eyes on the road; don’t turn too hard.

That’s the kind of relationship that our Lord wants with us.

In the book of Isaiah, we read how the Lord longed to show guidance and compassion to a rebellious people. God’s chosen ones insisted on their own way, turning to false gods to lead them. In their refusal to listen to the Lord God, their misery increased, and in the chaos of disobedience, they lost the joy of fellowship with the One who created them.

How often this happens in our lives! We cling to our own way, stubbornly refusing to heed the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We dig in and drive ourselves straight into a ditch—completely off the road God has prepared for us. The results?

Frustration. Anxiousness. Misery.

But our Lord offers so much more!

Are we taking time to direct our focus into the mirror of God’s Word? Are there areas in our lives where we are insisting on our own way? Are we drowning out His still small voice with our shouts of I-can-do-it-myself?

Listen, with a still, quiet, and seeking heart…

Easy, my child, easy. Keep your eyes on Me.

Thank you, Lord, for providing the Way to have a real relationship with You. How amazing that You offer us the joy of knowing and loving You! Help me to listen to Your gentle whispers.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way; walk in it.”
• Isaiah 30:21 •