In the Passenger Seat
Picture a married couple driving in a car toward their destination. The husband is driving. The wife who is in the passenger seat is holding the map. They are moving and cruising down the road. The couple has agreed to drive toward this specific objective. They are following the map and making good time.
All of a sudden (at least to the wife) the husband makes a turn (a detour). The wife is a bit concerned but trusts her husband. First, she reads a sign that says “yield”; but, the husband continues steadily down the road. She mentions to him that they should have kept straight and not made a turn. The wife then begins to see signs on the road reading, "Wrong Way", "Do Not Enter", "Dead End", and "No Way Out.” The wife’s first instinct is to grab the wheel and turn the car around.
She voices her concern but he speeds up and continues on as if the signs (distractions) do not matter. Later, she reads other signs, “DANGER AHEAD” and “STOP ! WALL AT THE END OF THE ROAD.”
The wife has a choice submit or not to submit. She can unbuckle her seatbelt. What is the function of a seatbelt? To protect, guard, and keep you still. What is the purpose of prayer and God’s Word? To protect, guard, and keep you still. When your prayer does not align itself with God’s Word and plan, it is as if you release yourself from protection. Some women may say, “I can’t take this any more. He is own his own. I’m out of here.” They decide to jump out of the car. This course of actions results in hurts and pain. The hurt can be physical, emotional, and spiritual. When she is out of the car, the husband continues towards the things of God. On the other hand, she is stuck in the middle of the road with no where to go.
The best thing about God’s love is that He can move upon the heart of His people. Can you see the wife broken down on the side of the road? Now picture the husband coming back. Why? Because of the love God has for His bride and the love the husband has for his wife, the husband puts the car in reverse and comes back for his wife.
The issue is trust vs. fear. Which will you choose?
Instead of choosing fear, the wife can choose trust. What does this look like? The wife can tighten up her seatbelt (pray without ceasing). The wife stays in the car and puts her trust in God. Now two things can happen.
First as they move forward, they could hit the wall. The man is not perfect and mistakes happen. Things will go wrong. However, because they were in agreement God will restore. When you are in accident, the air bag is automatically released. So it is the same with God. He releases something supernatural. God reveals His power and presence. He releases something new and fresh; something that they both did not expect. Why? They decided to stand together under a banner of agreement and unity. The car may be torn up, broken down, and ruined, but the couple can walk away holding hands in unity, alive, healthy and without a scratch.
Or secondly, as the wife tightens her seatbelt (prays fervently) and trusts the Lord. She begins saying, “Lord, move that wall. I have the faith of a mustard seed. Mountain be removed.” As they continue speeding toward the wall, the husband is not holding back but looking straight ahead. Before their eyes, the wall crumbles and falls. As they reach the wall, they move through as if the wall was never in the way. The couple keeps moving forward. The problem, that situation, is over. Gone. God did a miracle in their lives. The result is that faith begins to be released in the life of the husband and wife. A testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness is shown. The couple is bond together in unity like never before. For the women, a greater trust is developed toward the husband and God Fear and control that will not allow submission to occur.
It is not easy to sit in a speeding car headed toward a brick wall. You want to jump out, scream, kick, and close you eyes until it is over. But God is asking you to hold on, trust, and believe. Open your eyes to see what your husband sees beyond the wall into eternity.
Erica Bates
July 5, 2008
