August 25 Martha's Musings

I am a country music fan. I have numerous favorites, including Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Alabama, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood, to name a few. I recently heard one of Ms. Underwood’s older songs, “Jesus Take the Wheel”, and realized that I know all the lyrics. Ms. Underwood is well-known to have a strong Christian faith, and this song is a prime example. The story of the song tells of a young woman driving home in a storm with her infant child in the backseat. As the song progresses, you learn that the woman is ashamed of some of the things she has done. When the car skids on the wet road, she lets go of the wheel, and literally and figuratively gives her life over to Jesus. Hence, the title of the song. Too many times in life, most of us have done or said something that we wish we had not. Our lives can get off track, and the faithful people, like the woman in the song, realize that their only hope is to turn their life over to Jesus. REALLY turn it over. Do not retain any power – and the relief will be immediate and full! I have found it helpful to acknowledge that God’s will is ALWAYS what is done. The choice is to be grateful and relieved that this is so, or to argue and complain to change the mind of the Almighty. God listens to all prayers, but the final decision is His alone, which may or may not align with our request. The important thing is the realization that God is in charge, not you, and this fact is a huge blessing, not something we humans just have to endure. Having Jesus “take the wheel” of our lives to refocus our hearts and minds is the best result we could have. So, when you pray “Thy will be done”, believe it and be grateful for it. The weight of the world is on broader shoulders than yours.

Blessings,
Martha Arizpe, St. John’s Prayer Team