My old youth leader used to say, “If God is your co-pilot, change seats.”  The point was, as people of faith, we follow where God leads. It’s not up to us to define the plans, set the course, or to carve our path. The Spirit blows where it wills, and we simply walk in that direction.

This sounds nice, doesn’t it? It sounds easy and inspirational. But in truth it can be much more difficult than we might expect. This is particularly true if we are inclined to take charge. It can be hard, even scary, to embrace the unknowns of our faith.

I get great comfort from knowing that I’m not the only one who experience this. In fact, it befalls all people of faith. Take Moses as an example.  Although Moses is charged with leading Israel to the promised land, he rarely knows what is coming around the corner. He never knows where he is going, or what he will face. From the moment that Moses steps into God’s calling, the journey doesn’t go as planned. Eventually, Moses gets so frustrated with his experience that he cries out: Wait a minute– you haven’t told me where I am going! You want me to lead but I have no direction, I have no plan, I don’t know who or what’s coming around the corner, How can I go forward?  I need your help!

Can you hear his frustration? Maybe even a little panic?

Meister Eckert once wrote that many people follow the Lord halfway, but not the other half.  By this he means that, too often, we believe in God’s presence, but refuse to let God to lead our lives. God remains the perpetual co-pilot, waiting for our decisions and directions.

Following the Lord for ‘the other half’ of our journey involves letting down our need for control. We refuse to become the arbiters of our journey. We follow instead of lead. Walking in faith, ultimately, amounts to an embracing of mystery. We yield ourselves to God’s direction and will, even when we don’t know the ins and out. Make no mistake, this can feel uneasy at times. There is a certain amount of uncertainty in this. This is because the walk of faith isn’t always straightforward or clear.

But here’s the good news; Like Moses, we can vent our frustrations. We can ask our questions of why, where, and how long. We can scream about our uncertainties and ask for God’s help. This is what Moses does, and God answers Moses’ cry. Of course, God doesn’t give Moses a map, or a multi-step ministry plan. God doesn’t give Moses additional insight to increase his mastery over the Exodus. In response to Moses’ felt lack of control, God says “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  (Exodus 33:16)

Let’s not rush past this. Our faith journeys never come with a step-by step installation plan. We will not always know what lies around the corner, or where God will lead us. In fact, the deeper we journey in faith, the less control we are called to have. But this does not mean we are left to chance and whim. Spoken over us, with all divine authority, is the assurance of God’s presence, and the rest that comes from it. This is the ultimate response to our spiritual discouragements, and it is more satisfying and enriching than any detailed list of instructions. God’s presence is what we hold onto when we don’t know where we are going, or what to do.

Are you feeling stretched beyond your comfort?  Are you struggling to maintain some control upon your life of faith, trying to manage everything yourself but finding it exhausting or frustrating?  Into the particularities of your faith-journey, whatever that might look like, God says to you “My presence will go with you.” You can be assured that you are surrounded by the presence of the one who created you, redeemed you, and promised that nothing in earth or heaven would thwart the divine love for you. And because God’s presence is with you, you can breathe deeply. 

So, change seats. Let God be the pilot. Because when we allow God to take the reigns, we can drop our shoulders, breathe deeply, and unburden ourselves; We know we are in the firm grip of our Lord. And in his presence, and walking in his path, we can rest.