Let the Lord do the Drivin’

Well, goodness gracious, I’ll be a lil’ ol’ bullfrog ‘a-sittin’ all fat and happy on a lily pad, the Lord done sho-nuff’ knows how to git our attention when we start to wonderin’ what in the world He’s ‘a-doin’ with our lives. Folks be ‘a-askin’ all the time, “What is God’s plan for me?” But the older I be ‘a-gittin’, the more I done realized it ain’t so much what God has got for my life as what God is ‘a-plannin’ to be ‘a-doin’ with my life. And butterbean, that there shift will change your whole doggone outlook quicker than a squirrel can be ‘a-snatchin’ a pecan.

Now, land sakes alive, here comes Psalm 138:8 ‘a-strollin’ in like a wise old farmhand ‘a-leanin’ on a pitchfork ‘a-sayin’, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.” That there is God ‘a-remindin’ us that He ain’t just ‘a-makin’ things up as He goes around here. No sir. He is ‘a-workin’ out His purpose with our lives, even when it starts to feelin’ messier than a pig ‘a-tryin’ to tap dance in a mud puddle.

Just take a lil’ time to be ‘a-lookin’ at that feller called Paul. Bless his determined lil’ ol’ heart, he done went from persecutin’ Christians to preachin’ Jesus like a barnyard rooster ‘a-crowin’ real loud at sunrise. God didn’t just give Paul a plan. No, sir, God done used Paul’s whole life like it was a real holy work tool in His mighty hands.

In Acts 28, you can done be ‘a-seein’ God’s fingerprints all over Paul’s missionary journey. Storms couldn’t be ‘a-drownin’ him. Them there shipwrecks couldn’t be ‘a-stoppin’ him. Them there mean ol’ snake bites couldn’t be ‘a-killin’ him. Why? Because God wasn’t finished with usin’ him yet. Paul done preached from Malta to Rome, and everywhere his sandals done landed, God’s purpose was unfoldin’ like a real fresh bale of hay.

And we can’t be ‘a-forgettin’, Paul done went through more troubles than one o’ them there lil’ ol’ goats done stuck in a fence. He was done stoned, beaten, chased, whipped, jailed, left for dead, and still he was ‘a-standin’ for Jesus. He done laid down his titles, his pride, his comfort, and he done said, “Lord, use me.” And God shore-nuff’ did.

What I done learnt from Paul is this here reality: Sometimes God’s will is ‘a-feelin’ smooth as butter on a biscuit, and sometimes it’s ‘a-feelin’ like you’re done ‘a-walkin’ barefoot through a real thorny briar patch. But if you go to lettin’ Him, God will be perfectin’ Himself right there in your weakness, and He’ll be ‘a-steerin’ your life exactly right where it’s ‘a-needin’ to be goin’.

So, maybe the real question ain’t “What is God’s real good plan for my life?” but “Lord, what do You want to be ‘a-doin’ with my life today?” ‘Cause we are His instruments, and He is always ‘a-wantin’ to be usin’ us to be ‘a-workin’ for His glory.

Father, I come with a heart that is ‘a-wantin’ to be used by You. Be ‘a-helpin’ me to stay willin’, humble, and ready for whatever Your perfect will is. Be ‘a-shapin’ me, ‘a-guidin’ me, and ‘a-workin’ through me for Your Own glory. In Jesus holy name, I pray. Amen.

Well, I do declare, I’ll be a lop‑eared bunny rabbit ‘a-tryin’ to outrun a lawnmower, we done gone and covered enough truth territory here to keep a whole revival tent ‘a-flappin’ for a whole week. Now you go on out yonder and be rememberin’ to tuck this here in your back pocket: When the good Lord gets to ‘a-usin’ your life, even the potholes and cow patties on the trail turn into real holy steppin’ stones to some real good place that’ll be ‘a-bringin’ real honor to God, butterbean.

With joy,

Gwen