“A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.” Psalm 33:17
Jesus, Take the Reins!
I’ve never ridden a mule down the steep, narrow, winding path at the Grand Canyon, but I’m told those critters get awfully close to the outer edge sometimes. I would be tempted to hold the reins tightly so if that mule got a notion to do something other than stay glued to the canyon walls, I could yank him back into line.
A donkey wouldn’t dare do that… would it?
I feel like my life is on that steep, narrow, winding path sometimes. I’m on the mule, hanging on for dear life. I’m close to the edge sometimes, and I don’t want to go over. Mainly, I don’t want to stray out of my comfort zone. I want to travel life right down the middle—not too fast, not too slow, not wobbly but sure-footed. Surely, if I do everything right, I’ll be safe from accidents, mistakes, or big changes.
God wouldn’t take me down an uncomfortable path… would He?
A “vain” hope is a false hope. If that mule doesn’t already know how to get down the canyon safely, what in the world do I think I can do about it?
The reins of our lives are held by the Unseen One. If any misstep is taken, it will be my own, as I climb down off the mule, thinking I can get down that canyon better by myself.
Usually I am content to let Him hold the reins of my life. He is the expert handler of all events and eventualities. But because He is unseen, and because the path often seems to be heading in ways I wouldn’t choose for myself, I sometimes wonder if He is actually holding the reins at all.
So what do I do when things don’t go as I expect? I snatch the reins out of His hand, of course! I have to save myself, after all!
Truth is, the longer I walk with Him, and the more I get to know Him, the more I know I can let Him hold the reins. There is no one and nothing on this earth—and certainly, there is nothing within me—that is as able, trustworthy, strong, wise, or tenderly compassionate as our Lord and Savior. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).
He knows the best paths for me. He knows when it is time to change direction, to go forward, or to rest. And He is infinitely dependable. So when I am tempted to take matters into my own hands, may I remember to hand over the reins to Him.
“Father, teach us not to hold on to vain hope, but to always let You hold the reins of life. In the imagined terror of going over the edge, may we remember Your Name. Amen.”
I remember in years past wondering at the peace you so often see in the older folks. And since I have gained that ‘altitude’ much of the time I feel that peace in handling life… until something unexpected and larger than my self comes up… Still have a bad tendency to grab the reins which doesn’t ever accomplish anything good.
Indeed, Lord. Teach us to not hold on to vain hope or let us think we have the right answers in trying times without you!
Much needed reminder that fits way too often. We lay our lives and our circumstances on His altar and all too often want to take it back.