Cruise Control Faith
Not to long ago I was driving in my car on my way to relax by a pool after a trying week. It felt like one thing hit me after another, I had been praying for clarity and asking God why certain things were happening; asking him to please give me some peace and rest. While these thoughts were rolling around in my head I was singing along to the songs that were playing from the local Christian radio station.
The song was a familiar Chris Tomlin song and in my off key voice I was mindlessly singing:
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Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Great is Your love and justice God
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along
And suddenly it was almost like I head a voice say “Really? Is my grace enough?” I turned down the radio and tried to swallow as I heard the whisper in my spirit again, “Is my grace enough? You are sing the words but do you mean them? You have been praying for certain things in your life, you have been asking why I am allowing certain circumstances to occur, but yet you are singing that ‘my grace is enough for you’ so is it?”
I slowed down my driving, turned off the radio and drove to my destination with tears running down my face. I realized I have been teaching words, singing songs, and mindlessly obeying God but deep down in my heart I was not allowing HIS word to change me.
Somewhere along the way my Christian faith moved into cruise control. Grace is defined as God’s love in action. Unfortunately my love towards God became stagnant. I was doing the right things, but not allowing God to change me on a daily basis.
If you have grown up in the church, do you allow certain bible verses roll over you because you have heard them so much? Do you sing certain songs mindlessly without realizing the words you are saying?
Have you fallen in the trap of having a “cruise control” kind of faith? If so stop right now, ask God for his forgiveness and ask him to wake up your senses! Having an ongoing relationship with Christ should never be set to cruise control.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Notice the word “renewing” is a present continuous tense verb, cruise control should never be a feature in our Christian walk.
Heavenly Father, thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for stopping me in my tracks and waking me up. Your grace is enough for me. You sent your son to die on the cross for my sins and saved sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. Thank you Jesus, You are enough. Amen!
God’s Girl,
Lori
Find me daily:
Thx Lori- I needed this today! And this is the second reference to Romans 12:2 for me this morning… God is speaking loud and clear. Bless you, my friend
Mary
you have been asking why I am allowing certain circumstances to occur, but yet you are singing that ‘my grace is enough for you’ so is it?
Oh Lori, powerful and so true. Love you girl. Thank you for this message. Romans 12:2 is a verse I am using right now as well for teaching at SUM… I think the Lord is moving many of us to truly be transformed…. Amazing…
Love you… BIG hugs.
Beautiful Lori. Many times I find myself saying the words but forgettting what they mean. I pray God would help me to always remember that His grace IS enough…in all circumstances. Help us to not become routine christians. -blessings.
AMEN and AMEN! I don’t want to be on cruise control. I want to be on God control.
Thanks for the reminder!
Sheryl
Beautiful.
How easy it is to fall into this trap. The Bible describes it as lukewarm Christians. And we know how He feels about that. Thank you for the reminder so we don’t get caught in cruise control.
Lori, I usually follow you when you post on Laced with Grace so I had to check my calendar. I guess we’re in a different rotation now.
Loved your illustration.
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks for sharing. This is a good reminder to me to take to heart the lyrics of the songs I’m hearing or singing and really consider what I’m saying.
Oh, Lori, what powerful words. You are right, His grace is enough…and yes, I often have my faith on ‘cruise control’. Isn’t it amazing how some times He makes things clear through music 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing from your heart…
Oh, my you are right on target. We have to be so careful. Take it from one who has walked with Him almost as long as you have been alive, if not longer. It is so easy to slip over into cruise…that is why we do need to keep Matt. 26:41 in front of us at all times..Keep watching and praying that you will not fall into temptaion, for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Thank you for this timely insight. Helps to keep us all on our toes..
Thank you for this post Lori. Sometimes I do need the reminder to pay attention and not walk this Christian walk on cruise control.