I drive a semi-truck for a living (that is to use my time productively and to make money so I can be of value to those who need me).  What do you do for a living?  I have never seen the Lord drive a big rig.  I have not seen it with my eyes, read it in the writings of others, or imagined it in my mind.  But I will confess that the Lord knows how to drive a big rig better than any driver I’ve ever seen.

I have found something useful to relate about what we do for a living.  I do not drive the semi alone.  The Lord is before me, behind me, above and on the sides of me.  He is

A FAW truck in China (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ever-present to guide, correct, remind, and prepare. I have seen Him cut the traffic open like He did the Red Sea for His people.  I have seen my reaction to situations change because He was there to instruct me.  Patience has become the headlights.  Endurance has replaced tired.  And His love restrains my anxiety over the foolishness of people.

It is not I who drives this truck.  It is the Lord leading me as I do the job He has allowed me to enter into.  If I let Him drive the truck by listening to what “is”, remembering what is written about what is true, and paying attention to the “living conversation” between He and I, I do well.

What I find interesting is how I balked against this for a long time.  How I thought that the Lord wasn’t all that interested in what I did for a living.  But I have come to see this as a testimony.  In every aspect, (if I let Him lead, and remain true to His commands) success becomes the banner over the top of every day.

Someone might ask, “Well that’s fine.  But what if you get in an accident?”  My friend, I already have.  And I endured that chastening just as I endure the rush traffic of Detroit.  Patience and truth are the leaders of everything good.  They are the strength to endure what cannot be endured by man alone successfully.  In every job, every rightful pleasure, and every moment sleeping, this is true.  And it remains a possibility for every man who has ever lived, regardless what he did for a living.

“Thou shalt not steal.” Do not speed.  Do not take up more room than you need.  Count others as more important than yourself.  Assume the worst is about to happen, and be ready to lovingly respond.  And make it a living testimony to the efficacy of the Gospel within you.  What more can we do?  If, at some point, these things fail you and you stand with no concept of what to do, be patient.  You are never alone.  It is as if it is the Lord Himself who is enduring the situation in your place.  Give Him Glory and do not worry.   If He allowed it to happen to you He will carry you through it.

Learn to live like this and you will see the end of anxiety in everything.  In Him, even death has no sting.  What shall we say then about any other form of suffering or toil?  Do not fear.  For fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not yet made complete in love.  And the One who loves us is true.  Therefore we could certainly say that the one who fears is living in doubt.  Doubt of the Lord’s promises is to call Him a liar.  What more needs to be said?