A few times a day, several times a week, and perhaps even thousands of times a year, we slip into the drivers seat of a car. Gripping the steering wheel, we move from point A to point B with little effort often tracing a seamless path we’ve travelled countless times before.

But this time it was not the drivers seat I was sitting in but the passengers side. With the back reclined just enough for my legs to stretch forward, I nestled myself in with a neck pillow and an agenda to do nothing but watch the scenic hills of Kentucky pass me by.

The sky radiated in a brilliant shade of blue behind bright greens of all shades that littered the landscape. In my pollinated daze I took notice of the faint script etched upon the car side mirror: Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. And it occurred to me in the moment that a few times a day, several times a week, and perhaps even thousands of times a year, I have seen those words yet failed to notice them. The subtle reminder is truly a most brilliant truth.

I did not notice the warning until I was out of the drivers seat relinquishing control of the car to one who had greater wisdom in navigating the road ahead. When I stopped focusing on the road and began to enjoy the journey, I was able to let my guard down and simply trust.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us
Hebrews 12:1

This is exactly why we are continuously encouraged in the Bible to never give up in our faith. In the book of Hebrews it is described as running a race- pressing forward in perseverance so that we will finish well in every situation and circumstance we encounter. Because the truth is that in this life, in this dying and messed up world, we will always be faced with some sort of battle. And that which we must face will be closer than we may expect it to be at any given moment, at any given time.

But let us remember that the Saviour we so desperately need is as well. Jesus is always closer than He may appear to be at any given moment, within any given situation or circumstance that threatens to pull us down. It is by our faith that we can get out of the drivers seat relinquishing control of the journey so we may enjoy the ride.

Father, I won’t stop. Help me to persevere forward to run the race you have marked for me. As I move forward in this journey of faith, may I always remember to put you in the drivers seat so that I may enjoy the journey every step of the way. In Jesus name, amen.