That was my car this morning – a non-starter. I hopped in my car as usual, ready to head for work BUT – nothing except a clicking sound. The battery was dead. This came as a complete surprise to me, as I had had no trouble yesterday or last night. I did not anticipate this event, therefore, I was not prepared and I had no back up plan. (I have a spare tire but not a spare car at my disposal)

My oil light and my tire light had both been on recently, giving me a head’s up that something needed to be done. BUT there is no “battery light” to warn me beforehand that my battery is about to die, so that I can make preparations for this event and include it in my schedule when making plans. Because I can’t schedule or choose the day and the time that my battery is going to die, it is guaranteed to happen at the most inconvenient time. But then, is there ever a “good” time to have your car battery go dead?

I can’t think of one and this morning was no exception. I needed to get to work. I called Triple A and waited for assistance to arrive. Within the hour a technician had come, charged my battery and given my car a clean bill of health. As soon as he left, I got in my car ready again to head to work. This hadn’t been too big of a set back after all – just a minor inconvenience.

I decided I would call work once I was on my way. Good thing I waited to inform them of my ETA. I turned the key and . . . you guessed it – nothing! To say I was surprised would be an understatement. My car had been running just minutes beforehand. So, I placed another call to Triple A, starting all over again. This time I got a different customer service person on the line, who seemed to take more time than the one I spoke with earlier. This time I had to wait over an hour for someone to respond to my request for service and then longer still for them to actually arrive at my house.

With this new technician, the routine was the same as with the first one, but this time I was told I needed a new battery. This, I gladly purchased on the spot and had installed. Certainly now, with my problem solved, I would have reliability and with it, peace of mind. I count on my car to start when I turn the key in the ignition and today I was caught off guard when it didn’t start. “Replace battery” was not on my schedule for today. I had other plans. Reminds me of what it says in Proverbs –

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

I want to be in control of everything that happens to me and of everything around me BUT – I am not. That can be a hard truth to accept. I trusted that my car would always start – but even though it usually starts, it is not infallible, it will fail me at some point. That point came today. (just as it has come at other times over the years, each and every time unannounced of course) Maybe total trust in my unreliable car is a bit misplaced. I am reminded of what King David said about trust –

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)

Seems like David lacked complete confidence in his modes of transportation just as I do with mine today! Misplaced trust can lead to a lot of disappointment and uncertainty. Who or what I put my trust in makes all the difference in the world. Therefore, I take to heart these instructions in Proverbs 3:5-6,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

To do this I have to give up my control over my life, or more accurately, the control I imagine I have and trust God enough to surrender to His plans for me. Surrendering takes courage. That might appear to be an oxymoron – but it is true nonetheless. Surrendering is not giving up (well it is me giving up my attempts at control) but surrendering to God is believing by faith that God’s ways are better than my ways, His wisdom superior to my own. After all, I am constantly caught off guard by events each day that I don’t know are coming. But not my Heavenly Father. In fact, I read in Isaiah –

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)

God is not caught off guard by anything, including dead car batteries at inopportune times. I am willing to cede control of my life to my Heavenly Father because I believe Him when He says this –

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Today, as every day, I choose again (and again and again) to trust in God, believing what Paul says in Romans when he says –

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“In all things” – in dead car batteries and in much more difficult and painful situations, in cancer, and job loss, and loss of loved ones, in persecution and in every storm and trial of life – I choose to believe “all” really means “all.” No fine print, no exclusions. “God works in all things for good” – my good and your good, dear readers. Why don’t I always or even usually recognize it at the time? Well, as Isaiah says –

” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Of course I don’t understand God – I simply have to trust Him by faith. Isaiah says this –

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, or with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:12-14)

If I am going to give up control of my life to someone else, let it be to God, Creator and sustainer of all the universe. After all –

“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me Your shield of victory, and Your right hand sustains me; You stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.” (Psalm 18:31-36)

I will surrender control to God. He is my shield. He is my refuge. It is His right hand that sustains me each day. I will trust His ways over my ways.

sincerely, Grace Day

ps. hidden blessing of the dead car battery – all four of my tires were too low – I thought the tire light was a false signal as usual, but the tech caught it and aired all my tires to a correct level and no more annoying tire light!