Trisha Mugo

Real Grace. For Real Life.

Quit Trying to Be God’s Co-Pilot

by Leave a Comment

“Mom, where are we going?”

Apparently, I’ve raised kids who have turned into backseat drivers. So, I exhale trying to channel a little patience.

“You don’t have to know everything. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”

I totally get it. On road trips, I’m the one who likes to ride in the front seat and give directions—if I’m not driving that is.

Maybe I’m a bit type A, I don’t know. I just like efficiency.

Today I was praying for my ministry and found myself trying to plan out my future. I envisioned God opening doors and found myself mapped out how that would affect my life.

Then it occurred to me just what I was doing. I don’t have to make a name or place for myself.

I don’t have to drum up opportunities for speaking or writing. All I have to do is walk through the doors God opens.

Then I remembered all the crazy detours I’ve been on in my life–how God has worked everything out for good. Can’t I trust Him with my future, every bit of it?

God is the driver on our journey, and we’re not even fit to unfold the map. For me, I have so much more peace when I envision myself as the kid in the back seat.

He’s driving, not us, and He wants for us to see the scenery and thank Him for the snowcone. He wants us to enjoy the ride and ask him to turn up the volume on our favorite song.

He’s a good God, and He’s taking us to good places. Even when we heckle Him every five minutes with, “Where are we going?” or “Are we there yet?” He doesn’t mind.

It’s not a perfect analogy and perhaps it sounds a bit naive to suggest it. But what if we discarded the idea that we can co-pilot and navigate with God.

Would our lives be simpler or more joyful if we just embraced the view from the back seat and decided to spend our energy enjoying the ride because we know that God is going to take us to where we need to go?

It takes radical faith that is willing to go where our adventurous, creative God wants to take us.

I’m praying that we can learn to enjoy the ride.

When Envy Distorts Your View of Yourself and Others

by 13 Comments

Photo via Creative Commons.
Photo via Creative Commons.

I’ve never been the jealous type.

If you buy a new house, I won’t covet your hardwood floors. I’m thrilled for you if you own a stunning wardrobe.

It might be hard to believe, but I’m happy to see your vacation photos. Sure I wish you would have taken me, (I AM human) but I love to see God bless people.

Maybe I thought I was impervious to jealousy. I was wrong.

Five months ago when I started this blog, I went on a blog subscription frenzy. I thought I would learn from the best in Christian publishing.

The jealousy started almost as fast as my inbox flooded with polished prose.

I soaked up every word. These writers had turned blogging into an art form.

But instead of rejoicing with my fellow wordsmiths, my heart took an ugly turn. I could only see how my words lacked the poetic ring of Ann Voskamp’s writing.

Would my words ever inspire like Mary DeMuth’s or encourage like Holley Gerth’s? Could my posts challenge the way Jennifer Dukes Lee’s do or bring as many laughs as Annie Downs?

And why can’t I seem to narrow my focus into one resounding theme like the way Crystal Stine hangs her entire blog around the word community?

By opening up the door of comparison, I allowed envy to walk in and strangle my joy. All of a sudden my blog posts weren’t witty enough, punchy or deep enough. I could only see my lack.

I coveted their books, too. As I elevated these writers, I forgot they were normal people, like you or me.

Maybe that’s the dangerous side of jealousy. It doesn’t only steal happiness, but it blinds us to our own blessings and causes us to see a distorted world—a world where our gifts never seem like enough.

Jealousy and competition mar our view of Christ’s body. Falling prey to envy prohibits us from fully functioning where God has placed us.

Whether you’re a writer or not, God’s gifted you with your experiences, personality and vantage point to create the depth and timbre of your voice.

Whether you write, speak or sit on a pew, your voice matters.

Photo Via Creative Commons.
Photo Via Creative Commons.

I remember the day God asked me to pray a blessing over one of these bloggers, to pray an increase over their lives and ministry. He asked me to pray what I ached for.

When I balked, I saw the green-eyed monster. But the second I obeyed, God began to change my heart.

I began to see how each author’s message was so often born from a mess. I saw how God likes to use the wounded to write healing words and how books sometimes come only after years of cross carrying.

I see a community of writers to whom God has given talent, each with a different voice, each with a different message. What a lovely thing to behold.

And I’m excited to take a seat among them. Today as I write this my heart sings Mary’s ancient words.

“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled’” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

In the end this writing life is about serving. “Platform” building is only another opportunity to bow down and wash some feet.

Book photo credit

Book/vase photo credit