My husband asked me to drive so he could do some work to prepare for a client. He pulled onto the shoulder and we did the old driver switcheroo. Afterwards, we were in some rough traffic for several miles, and my tension mounted with the erratic speed of driving as vehicles changed lanes and jockeyed for position.

Throughout the congestion I constantly worried about my speed: Am I going too fast or too slowly? My adrenalin was pumping and my muscles were tense as I alternately sped up and slowed down.

Eventually the traffic thinned out considerably and I was able to go the speed limit. Only then did I think it was safe to turn the cruise control on. As it engaged, the accelerator pedal was automatically taken over by the cruise genie, and at last my foot relaxed some, just barely hovering over the pedals to be ready in an instant should circumstances warrant. The tension in my shoulders and neck also eased a bit as I surrendered a little to the ability of the cruise control to keep me at an even speed.

Now I was able to – yes – cruise along in a more relaxed state. But I was still ready to resume control of the accelerator at a moment’s notice.

It occurred to me that turning the car’s cruise control on is kind of like the way I let God be in charge of my life. I let Him be in control, only after I’ve maneuvered into an area where I think it’s safe to let go a little; but I’m still hovering around just in case I feel the need to take over again. The tension eases, but I’m still on the alert just in case something unforeseen happens and I want to be the one in control once more.

Being ever on the alert to disengage the car’s cruise control when circumstances change is, of course, a wise and safe way to drive.

But it is neither wise nor safe to second-guess God and wrench the control of my life from His hands just as soon as I think the situation is too tough to trust to Him.

God wants me to surrender totally to Him. Whether I’m cruising through life during the easy times, or changing lanes and speeds, or even stopping abruptly during the rough patches, He wants me to leave it all in His control.