Who Is Driving Your Tractor in 2012?
Looking at the table where my nativity set was beautifully displayed, I paused. My grandson, Logan, was quietly and gently playing with the wise men, camels, sheep, and donkey; as I had told him he could. He had moved the hay from the “barn” and back into the “barn” with his green John Deere tractor several times. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that at first. The mess and all. But then, I realized, what else would a three year old think you were supposed to do with hay. However, then I noticed baby Jesus wasn’t in His manger. Before I could say, “Where is baby Jesus,” I spied Him…perched behind the yellow steering wheel of the John Deere. My first reaction was to blurt, “That is sacrilegious! Get Jesus off the tractor and back into the manger!” Instead, I held my tongue and watched Logan gently guide the tractor across the table, carefully holding baby Jesus upright. It was then that I realized that Logan was giving Jesus great honor. He was letting Jesus drive his John Deere. Instead of correcting Logan, I found myself saying, “You are so sweet to share your tractor with baby Jesus.” In Logan’s mind, he no doubt had thought, “Why would Jesus want to lay on hay when He could drive a tractor?”
I learned two lessons from Logan that day.
The first lesson is that I’m too narrow minded about the ways that I think to honor Jesus. Watching Logan play, I realized I should invite Jesus into more of my daily activities. Why should I “shelf” Him when He wants to be a part of all the aspects of my life?
Second, I began wondering if I truly let Jesus “drive my tractor;” my day. Logan placed Jesus in a premiere position: behind the wheel of his favorite toy. “Do I place Jesus in a premiere place, or do I just take Him along for the ride?” I asked myself.
As we close 2011 and look forward to 2012, I think it’s good for us to take an assessment of our lives in relation to Jesus. Has Jesus been pleased with all we’ve done in 2011? Are there areas from which we excluded Him or didn’t invite Him to be a part? Have our wishes and wants been the driving force behind our days? Or, have we placed Jesus in the seat of honor and asked Him to steer us through our days?
It’s never too late for us to change; to do things better and to be better people in 2012 than we were in 2011. God is the God of “overs” as my sister, Linda McConnico, writes in the following poem.
“OVERS”
When I was a child, there was a thing called “Overs”
When I wanted to change my mind.
But as I grew older and tried to have “Overs” Life was no longer kind.
When the choices I’d made, I later saw
Had hurt those whom I loved best
I couldn’t do anything to change the results
And my heart ached with distress.
As I pondered the reasons I’d made such a mess
Of the life God had given to me
He spoke oh so softly, “I love you, My child;
Look to Me and I’ll set you free.
Free from feeling alone and not understood
Free from all the burdens you bear
I want you to trust Me with those whom you love
Commit them to MY loving care.”
Well, I did as God asked and faithful He was
To overcome all of my wrongs.
And all through my life when I’m weak and have strife
He reminds me that it’s He who is strong.
My children love Jesus with all of their hearts
They’ve given their lives to His care.
And I thank Him and praise Him each day that I live
That no matter what comes He is there.
What a God we have! He can use bad choices
To help others not stumble and fall
How I thank You, sweet Jesus, for giving me “Overs”
“Overs” to give YOU my life….my all.”
Are you in need of “overs” in some area of your life in 2012? Why not invite Jesus to sit behind the wheel of your heart? Ask Him to steer you in the right direction.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You that He is available and eager to be an integral part of our lives. Thank You for giving us “Overs” in 2012 and for Jesus, who has overcome the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Please join me for a 10 week Conference series, The Plan A Christian in a Plan B World, that I’m teaching at The Kerrville, TX KROC beginning Tuesday, January 24 at noon. You can bring a lunch or buy lunch at The KROC if you would like. This is a study of how we can better live out our faith in 2012…even when everything doesn’t go according to our plans. Everyone is invited! Call The KROC: 830.315.5762. Let us know you’re coming!