There’s a special kind of audacity that lives deep inside a recovering control freak. Ask me how I know. 🙃 I’ve prayed that iconic prayer — “Jesus, take the wheel!” — more times than I can count. But if I’m being real honest (and honey, we do real honest around here), what I meant was:

“Jesus, take the wheel… but turn left at Starbucks and avoid the traffic on Main. Also, don’t go over 45. I’m still anxious.”

The Illusion of Control

Let’s talk about it. There’s nothing quite like feeling in control. The planner’s full, the to-do list is color-coded, the calendar has stickers. Life is neat and predictable.

Until it isn’t.

And suddenly, I’m gripping the wheel like it owes me money, white-knuckling my way through a storm I didn’t see coming. That’s when I remember I’m not really in control at all — I’m just really committed to the illusion of it.

But What If His Route Isn’t Scenic?

Here’s the kicker: surrender sounds sweet…until Jesus starts rerouting. And sometimes His way isn’t the scenic highway with wildflower fields and iced coffee stops.

Sometimes it’s the back road. The long road. The bumpy, dusty, “are you sure this is right?” road.

Cue me in the passenger seat, silently judging the divine GPS.

“Lord, I think we missed our exit…?”

“No ma’am. You did.”

When the Detour Is the Lesson

What I’ve learned (through teeth-gritted grace) is that the detours are often the best part. That unexpected stop? It’s where I finally slow down enough to hear His voice. That closed road? It’s keeping me from something I didn’t know I needed protecting from.

And while I may throw the occasional tantrum in the backseat of my own spiritual journey, I’m also learning to trust the Driver.

Not just with the wheel. But with the map.

Surrender Isn’t Weak — It’s Worship

There’s nothing passive about surrender. It’s not “whatever happens, happens.” It’s active, intentional trust. It’s saying: “Even when I don’t like this road, I trust You know where we’re going.”

Even when the route is slow. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when He takes the long way. Because He’s not just trying to get us there — He’s trying to grow us there.

Scripture Check-In:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Nowhere in that verse does it say understand the path. Just submit. Surrender. Buckle up, buttercup.

Final Thoughts from the Passenger Seat

I still like knowing the plan. I still whisper directions under my breath. But I’m learning — slowly, awkwardly, sometimes with spiritual motion sickness — that the One driving knows what He’s doing.

So Jesus, take the wheel.
And the map.
And my anxious overthinking heart.

I’ll just sit here with my iced coffee and try not to backseat drive.

💛 Stay sweet and surrender the sass,

Natalie