I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8

My husband’s grandpa loved to tell stories while driving us around his town. He would always point out special locations when he was behind the wheel, but he had a bad habit of steering the car in the direction he was pointing and looking. It was kind of funny, but terrifying, as we held on for dear life and hoped he would correct in time. (Fortunately he always did.) Our lives are a lot like that. We tend to steer them in whichever direction we are looking. We either focus on the wrong things intentionally or accidentally, but either way, we end up at the wrong destination far from where Jesus wants us to be. 

When our lives become filled with pride and greed, we are focused on ourselves, and our selfish desires become our points of interest. When we find ourselves overwhelmed by insecurity and anxiety, we are looking to others to validate us, and we get stuck in the never ending, never satisfying ditch of comparison. Sometimes we find ourselves pointing to success or popularity or on a quest for comfort or pleasure. But if we are looking to anything or anyone other than Jesus, the outcome will always be the same: We will find ourselves veering in the wrong direction, and if we don’t correct in time, it could be disastrous. 

Dr. Seuss said it beautifully when he wrote, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go…” He got one thing wrong, though: you’re not “on your own”. Jesus is with you, and He is at your right hand. He is your Navigator, and His Word is your map. Allow Him to lead your heart and direct your life, but in order to stay on the road, you must keep your eyes on Him. When you allow selfishness, insecurity, fear, or pleasure to steer your life, you will always end up far from Jesus, far from contentment, and far from peace and joy. If you must point, change lives by pointing others to Jesus. Then, keep both hands on the wheel and show them the way! You are loved! 

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.  Psalm 119:37