No one taught me how to drive a stick. I taught myself. I had the mechanics down, but I didn’t have someone in the car with me telling me what to do and when to do it. So, I didn’t truly learn until I purchased my first four on the floor. I drove around the parking lot grinding and stalling and yelling at myself to get it right. Then I did a dumb thing. I shouted at God that he wasn’t helping me get it right. Like He should wave a wand and I was supposed to gain an immediate knowledge of finding the right timing of putting it into gear and stepping on the gas.
Aren’t we like that in life? We are faced with a challenge then blame God when things don’t go our way or proceed as fast as we would like? I don’t have to tell you life, and God for that matter, don’t work that way.
Lessons are learned, not given. I cannot pick up my guitar and instantly play Little Wing or sit at a piano and play Mozart. I can’t even pick up a brush and paint like my wife. Given, many of these can be attributed to gifts. Some things are inborn that folks are destined to be successful in. We all can be talented in such areas. As for shifting gears, I eventually went on to drive a semi-truck and driving OTR for two years before my Epilepsy diagnosis.
All things though take practice. I don’t think either Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan just picked up their guitar and strummed out that amazing instrumental piece. Mozart didn’t compose a single concerto without learning how notes and instruments worked together. And my wife went through many canvases before feeling comfortable enough to share her work.
Sometimes it’s a tough road to get from unskilled to expert. You bust your knuckles and shed blood to earn that certification. You work long hours and study hard to become respected in your position. You practice endlessly so that progression flows like second nature. It is often a long road and hard work pays off.
Life is also easier when we put God at the center. When He becomes our focus, all other things fall into place. That too takes practice. I know for me, when I don’t blame God for not making things easier, things become easier, even in the struggles. It wasn’t his fault I couldn’t find second; I just hadn’t experienced life long enough to find it. Now that I know, I can easily drive. I can also go back to that experience and know God does care, but He is not a magic wand; He just intends us to live and learn.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Photo by Alok Sharma on Unsplash
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