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Carrie Underwood had the right idea.
When everything is going right and you feel like your hands are on the wheel, it’s easy to forget that there’s a much greater plan for your life.
When you think you know where you’re going, it’s hard to admit when you’re lost and need help.
God is patiently waiting for you to let him help you find your way, all you have to do is ask for directions. (And trust me, life is a whole lot easier when you’re guided by the light of the world.)
Here are 8 easy ways to let the author of all take the wheel in your life everyday, not just when things start to go wrong.
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Listen up.
Do you listen as much as you talk? In any relationship, communication is vital, and communication is a two-way street. Any friendship would be short-lived if one person did all the talking all the time, and never heeded anything the other person said.
Your relationship with God is no exception. Open the conversation and share what’s on your heart, but be just as willing to listen.
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Turn it up.
Have you listened to Christian worship music recently? If you have, you know it’s real good. Seriously, if you haven’t heard “Oceans” or anything by Matthew West, what are you still doing reading this? I’m serious, go put on some Christian music (or at least, “Jesus, Take the Wheel”), and then come back…
(If you don’t know where to start, you can find my own playlist here, you’re welcome.)
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Show up.
How does any relationship work where you never see the other person or spend any time with them? (Hint: it doesn’t.)
If you’re serious about letting God in, you have to be willing to meet him halfway. He only asks for one hour out of one day of your week to hang out at his house. That’s not much to ask for the greatest friendship of your life!
Show up to church when you can and be present in mind and spirit. Your time won’t go wasted.
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Dress up.
“Dress the part” applies for church, too. It’s important to dress appropriately for any event you attend, so what makes church the exception?
Dressing up for church doesn’t have to anything crazy, but you should try to dress in something at least as nice as what you’d wear to work or to a nice dinner. We dress up for special occasions, and the Lord’s house definitely qualifies.
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Dress up x2.
Great, now you’ve dressed up on Sunday. But what about every other day? Sunday doesn’t have to be the only day your clothes reflect the occasion.
Wearing simple t-shirts like these or those church camp/retreat shirts you have 10 of are subtle ways to represent every day, and they can be conversation starters. Use, “what is that shirt from?” as a way to tell a story about that awesome church retreat you went to, or to share your favorite bible verse.
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Follow up.
This is probably the easiest thing on this list. If you check social media platforms throughout the day, this is a ridiculously easy way to let a little Jesus into your life! I’ve found some Christian accounts that tweet inspiring messages and daily bible verses, and it is so refreshing to see in my feed.
Go ahead, keep following Justin Bieber and DogRates, but it will only help you to mix in some grace with the memes and cute animal videos.
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Read up.
When was the last time you opened your bible?
If you can’t remember, you’re long overdue, friend. Challenge yourself to learn a few of your favorite bible verses by heart.
Like I wrote about here, setting one as your lock screen is a super easy way to do this, and it’ll act as a great reminder throughout your day.
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Speak up.
We’ve come full circle here. Communication is everything! What’s on your mind? Let God know. Worried about a test? Tell him. Wondering about his plan for your life? Tell him.
I hate to break it to ya, but he already knows what’s on your mind; he’s just waiting for you to talk to him about it (and he is the best.listener.ever).
I hope you’ll consider trying at least one of these ways to let God take the wheel this week, I promise he won’t disappoint! As with anything worthy of your time, you get in what you put out. But with this relationship, your efforts will be repaid endlessly.
February 21, 2017
This is great, I totally agree with everything you said! My kids and I really enjoy listening to worship music in the car and on our computers at home. My daughter loves those kinds of shirts. In fact, we were just browsing through the Bible Bookstore yesterday and she wanted several of the shirts.
February 21, 2017
Thank you!!! I used to always listen to worship music in the car with my dad growing up, and I’ve come to love it even more now! I’m always looking for those bible verse shirts, they’re so cute! And such an easy way to represent 🙂 thanks for reading & sharing, have a great day!
February 21, 2017
Those are cute shirts. Dressing up for church and social media inspiration are great ways to help us keep the focus on God mentally. It’s the little things that make a difference I think 🙂
February 22, 2017
Yes I totally agree! More little things throughout the day keep me focused on what’s important ☺️ thanks for reading!
February 22, 2017
I love love number 6. My friends are always asking me if I saw this or that random post on FB. My answer is ‘No! I only follow Jesus stuff!’ 😉
February 22, 2017
I feel the same way on Twitter!! Never a bad thing at all 🙂 thanks for reading!
February 23, 2017
I think of Carrie Underwood often, more in the I will smash your car and “carve my name into his leather seat…” kind-of-way if you ever hurt me again (Have you read my blog? LOL It was validated!) but I love her so much. Jesus DOES need to take the wheel (Especially when we feel like smashing cars), these are excellent tips! <3
February 23, 2017
I love that side of Carrie Underwood, too! She is such a powerful & strong woman. I love how you can relate both of these sides to letting Jesus be in control! Thanks for reading, & I’ll check out your blog now 🙂
February 23, 2017
What a smart outline! and nothing unusual, just well said and well presented! Thanks!
February 23, 2017
Thank you! Thanks for reading ☺️
February 23, 2017
I love this! Number 3 stands out to me, but I love how all of these relate to each other. Looking forward to reading more from you!
February 23, 2017
I love how everyone has something different that speaks to them when they read this! Thanks for reading & following 🙂
February 25, 2017
Great ideas, Kristen! I’m sharing on my FB page. Blessings to you!
February 25, 2017
Thank you!! Thanks for reading 🙂 blessings!
March 2, 2017
1, 3, 4, &5. #conviction
March 2, 2017
Yes!!!
March 20, 2017
[…] better than what I think I want (Isaiah 14:27). It’s difficult to “let Jesus take the wheel” (as I’ve written about previously), but things always work out better when I […]
April 11, 2017
! Thanks for reading & following 🙂
May 14, 2017
[…] you read this post of mine, you know how much I love these style shirts, and I think they’re an essential for every […]