The Passenger Seat
By John J. Burnett Jr.
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One Friday evening I went to get my son Timothy for the weekend. It was an exciting time we were both looking forward to. He is 16 years old and excited about getting his drivers permit. He dreamed of this moment and often times we would
Talk about the day I would be asking him to drive. Will the day had arrived.
I thought I would surprise him and let him drive us to my apartment. When we prepared to leave his house I walk around the car ahead of him and unlocked the passenger side door and stepped in and sat down. He watched with amazement and quickly put his stuff in the backseat and jumped in the drivers seat. We put on our seat belts and our journey began.
Its amazing how different the perspective is from the passengers seat. I found myself driving in my mind. I was putting on breaks, and reacting as if I were in the driving seat. Oh how it made my head hurt. The confusion I felt I know how to drive; This is how
During this time Timothy remained calm and focused as he notice my reactions. “Papa relaxes and remember I drive different from you.” Wow! What a thought, I thought to myself and said, “You are right. Let me relax and allow you to drive”. When I did this I enjoyed the journey.
As we drove along I ponder the thought and a revelation began to unveil the process of Allowing Jesus to take the drivers seat and drive. I began to examine how I felt about letting Timothy drive and the process I experience in order to enjoy the journey. What I discovered, I believe are steps to take in preparation for Jesus to take the drivers seat. These steps are not necessarily in any order.
Step 1:
Relationship must be establish to build trust.
In order for me to allow Timothy to drive my car and with me in it. I had to have a good relationship with him. I had to know he was qualified to legally drive a car. He had the mental capacity to handle driving. I was further assured when he demonstrated a strong desire and passion to drive. I would not of know these thing with out a relationship. Our relationship build trust between us.
Step 2:
Understand we have a destination and the driver knows the rout to get there.
With the price of gas slowly increasing joy riding was not an option. There had to be a destination with a purpose attached to it. Timothy was aware of the rout to take that would lead us to our destination. As a passenger I willingly answered his directional question. I realized the drivers perspective is quit deferent from the passengers perspective which he knows very well.
Step 3:
Know We Have a Destiny to fulfill.
As we were following the normal route. Timothy was faced with a detour. This detour happened to me in area I was not familiar with. Timothy was not daunted by that fact and continued moving forward. During this time he took the lead unknowing to me and made turns that I did not make in my mind. As a little tension build. He look over at me and side “I drive different from you. Relax and enjoy the ride. I got this!”
Step 4:
Have Confidence in the Driver.
I sat there in the passengers seat with my mouth open. What wisdom my son had. The confidence he verbally demonstrated caused me to responded “You’re write I know you can drive and you can handle it. I think I will do just what you said. I will relax and enjoy this drive.”
Step 5:
Be Willing to let go of control.
The moment I accepted my son was driving. I stop driving in my mind and let go of the controls. Two people with both there hands on the driving wheel with two different method and ideas will lead to unpleasantness and possible ascendant.
Step 6:
Believe the driver is able to handle challenges of driving.
Timothy was now driving in rush hour traffic and it was raining. I continued to actively relax and demonstrate my confidence in his ability as I honored the decisions he made.
Step 7:
Participate in the journey.
Although Timothy was driving and I was in the passengers seat there was no reason not to engage in conversation and shared a few laughing moments while maintaining awareness of things around us.
Step 8:
Pay attention alone the way.
The advantage of having someone in the car with you are the availability of two additional eyes. As a passenger my responsibility maybe limited but not relinquished by far. As we were driving I notice Timothy did not see what was approaching by his actions. I know then I had to react like a father would and sternly say “Pay Attention” and pointed out the possible danger. He responded accordingly. When the incident pass I explain the circumstance and encourage him with “The more you drive you will develop your own caution procedures. It comes with experience.
We arrived at our destination safe and sound and we both enjoyed the journey. Before exiting the car I thanked God for the lesson. And he whispered to me “It will get easier, It comes with experience.”
And with that I pass. Enjoy your journey in the passengers seat. Leave the driving to God.
