Who's Driving?

Hey, check this out, a 1985 Chevy pick-up. Yeah it’s a little old and it’s kind of beat up. But, it runs. I drove it home. Here’s the kicker… it was given to me! Yes sir, the man handed me the keys Friday afternoon and said, “It’s yours.” So, I drove it home, parked it in the driveway, stood back and just admired it, thinking of how I was going to refurbish it… make it brand new. 

I got up Saturday morning as usual. And while drinking my first cup of coffee. I could not stop thinking about the truck, and what I was going to do with it. So, I went outside to tinker with it and to my surprise… it was GONE!!! I freaked out. I ran in the house to get my phone and call the police. “9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” Frantically I said “I just got a truck yesterday. I went outside this morning, and it’s GONE!!” The 9-1-1 dispatcher said “I’m sorry sir, but vehicles have to be missing for 72 hours before they can be reported stolen.” 



Frustrated, I hung up the phone before I said something I would probably regret. I stormed around the house for a few minutes to release some of my frustration. Then a thought came to mind ‘Maybe I’m just dreaming.’ I went outside, in disbelief, to look in the driveway again. And to my surprise (again) there it WAS! I ran over to it to check it out. Everything was still the same, nothing had changed. It was even parked in the same position, as if this had never happened. 

Well, after I got over the shock of what just happened. I calmed down, grabbed some tools and started tinkering with my truck. I tinkered with this truck all day, and I had a blast doing it. Taking out the old stuff and putting in the new. The day just got away from me. It was time to get a little something to eat and go to bed. Sunday morning I woke up, got some coffee in me, took a shower and got ready for church. Grabbed the keys to my truck and walked out the door. Guess what… IT WAS GONE! 

I ran in the house and called 9-1-1. I told the 9-1-1 operator what had happened yesterday and today. She said “Well sir, if the car thief keeps bringing it back, you can’t very well report it stolen.” I very politely said “Thank you for that tidbit of information.” And slammed the phone down! Angry, I got out of my church clothes. While doing this I decided to mow the lawn, to relieve some stress. I dressed for mowing, went to the shed and got the mower. Gassed it up, and pulled it around to the front of the house. “WHAT!?” I yelled. There it was… sitting there as if it had never been moved. 

Now I’m starting to think of the movie ‘Christine’ about a guy who bought a beat up old car that was possessed, and the car went around killing people. Next thing you know I’m in jail for murder AAAGGGHHHHHHHH!!! I ran into the house to think about this. I finally decided to sit up all night to see if the truck was really possessed. I sat there peeking through the blinds, like a scared little girl. Waiting for the truck to start up, peal out, and race off on a murder spree. 1 o’clock… 2 o’clock… 3 o’clock… daylight. Daylight! Nooooooo! I fell asleep! The truck is gone! Again! 

Determined to put a stop to this madness, I sat myself in the middle of the driveway waiting for the truck to come back. About 20 minutes later, here it comes. I stood up, as the truck pulled into the driveway. I was so relieved to find out it wasn’t possessed. But you’ll never guess who was driving. It was the man who gave me the truck! I said “What are you doing?” He said “I kept a set of keys. I didn’t think you would mind if I took it for a spin every once in a while.”
 
The reason for the story is to make a point. When we give our hearts to God it is supposed to be for life. But, when old habits (people, drugs, drinking, etc…) come around, asking for a ride. Sometimes we decide to grab the extra set of keys and take our hearts for a spin down “Memory Lane” not thinking of what God is feeling. But God never gets frustrated or angry. He loves us so much; he just sits there, patiently waiting, for us to come back.
 
The moral of the story:  If God is your co-pilot… Trade seats!