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Elaine Pierce

June 25| Psalm 6


 

DAILY READING


 

REFLECTION


Jesus Take the Wheel

by Elaine Pierce


"Jesus, take the wheel." We've all been there, haven't we? It's a moment of crisis - we can't figure out what to do next - all the options look grim. Carrie Underwood sang about it in her country hit. I think we can all identify with that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach - where do I go wrong? Where do I turn? Who will get me out of this mess?


About 4 years ago, I fell and broke my wrist. I remember the awful, almost out-of-body sensation of falling. I knew I couldn't stop myself, and I knew a bone had broken. This winter I saw a class listing at my local rec center called "Fearless Falling," and I decided to take it. Our instructor encouraged us to practice 'preventive falling' in-between classes. He said that muscle memory and practice would make all the difference when we were faced with those few seconds to break a fall. I am hopeful that skills I learned over 8 weeks will make a difference and that muscle memory will kick in when I stumble or trip.


In Psalm 6, David pours out his grief to the Lord. He doesn't mince words, does he?


I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. (v. 6-7)


Can you imagine singing those verses on a Sunday morning? Not exactly churchy, is it? Much worse than a fear of falling, to be sure. David is in anguish. He comes to God with real fears, real needs. In verse 3, he doubts that God is even listening: My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?'


My friends, I don't know where we get the idea that God is our personal genie, here to grant all our wishes and give us a stress-free, calm and prosperous life. There will be times of great sorrow and great fear, and yes, we will fall and we will fail.


This is an honest, heart-wrenching Psalm. I don't have answers for why we experience heartache or physical pain. But I do know that we have a God who loves us (see v. 4) and a God who hears us (see v. 9).


Jesus will take the wheel, but we have to move out of the driver's seat. Spend time with him, and his words and his holy spirit will not return to you empty. Romans 8:38-39 are good verses to commit to memory:


For I am convinced that nether death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, or anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our lord.


PRAYER PRACTICE

Dear Lord, it is easy to call you Lord when life is going well. But when we face trials and heartache, it is hard. Help us to build a firm foundation so that when the rains come, we will rest in your arms. You are good, and we long to know you more. Amen.



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