What do Dory (from “Finding Nemo”) and the “Jesus Take the Wheel” song performed by Carrie Underwood have to do with each other? They are my spirit-inspired memory aids for applying the following Bible lesson:
“Because of the extravagance of these revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, ‘My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.’
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size — abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Whether it’s a physical attack, a financial battle, a mental challenge, emotional upheaval, an accident, the lousy economy, car trouble, a messy kid’s room, a fussy baby, or bad weather on our birthdays, we can either be KO’d by our circumstances…
…or we can learn to do what Paul learned to do: “take it in stride, and with good cheer,” letting Christ take over.
Wow. When I think of the time and energy I’ve wasted over the years because I REFUSED to take things in stride, and I certainly didn’t take them with good cheer. Even after I became a Christian, if obstacles and limitations arose, I either ranted and raved against the devil who brought the trouble or fell into the trap of guilt and condemnation, sure I had brought the problem upon myself because I wasn’t “good enough.”
I still have a long way to go, but seeing these verses in the Message have given me a new way to approach those KA-POW situations. Just keep swimming, and let Jesus take the wheel today!
(I know, it’s kind of a weird word picture, but I bet you won’t forget it!)
