Hand Over the Reins
Growing up on a farm and learning about horses from my mom instilled in me the realization of how easy it was to control an animal if properly trained. It also proved how fast things could go terribly wrong.
I never had a horse run off with me, but I’ve had them stop and decide there is no way they would go further along the path. When that happens, if you can’t figure out how to coax them on safely, it may be better to turn around, especially if alone. Most of the time, I could pinpoint the cause. One time it was a derelict refrigerator dumped there years ago, but this time it set the horse off. More often, it happened because a random animal or bird spooked them.
Giving up the reins in those incidences meant changing course rather than handing the reins to someone else. A closer semblance of handing the reins over came in a simple exercise in the riding arena. I was on the grand champion, who knew subtle cues even without rein use. If I looked left, she would turn left. The littlest shifts of my body caused her to react. On this day, she kept side stepping while I adjusted in the saddle. The sciatic nerve on my right side would not allow me to settle in. After one messy ride around the arena, I told her to park and rubbed her neck, thanking her for putting up with me. I dismounted and resorted to walking around, watching and learning a few things about ground work.
Those events were easy to understand. I knew when to change course or give up on the task for the time being to let someone else handle it.
In life, we make a lot of plans. Red flags will rise, but we don’t recognize them properly. We could have too strong a desire for what we are striving for. It could also be a level of ignorance, like my first few times on a horse when I didn’t know what to do. In either case, we don’t want to hand the reins over to someone else because it pricks our pride. We don’t want to be seen as lacking in skills for the job or admit to making wrong choices just to get the result, despite the littered trail left behind us.
It’s not as obvious as horse riding because it may be many little steps taken without proper guidance. I know when I step out to grab a dream or run with what I think is a great opportunity, I better be sure God is in it with me. He will let me have the reins for lessons, but I better pay attention for when it is time to hand them back. The Bible tells us we may make plans, but God directs our steps.
I suspect I’ll make missteps in the future. I still have plenty to learn, no matter how nerdy I am or that I’m classified as middle-aged now. With God as my pilot, I have someone I can learn from and know when the reins should be returned to His more than capable hands. This season of pivoting I mentioned in my last post has me seeking what is next and I know there are things for me to learn. It’s far too easy to let desires make me run for the goal too fast or throw myself into a comparison trap.
Let’s take the time to enjoy the journey, learn from the missteps, and hand the reins over to God when we are supposed to. When you let God control the timing and direct your steps, you will see results in a different light, and they will amaze you. Your desires will move closer to His for your unique life that only you can live.