Who "Reins"?

I have always loved horses.  I collected model horses as a small girl.  I had horse books and stuffed animals.  Growing up in the city, I couldn't own a real horse, but my parents made plans to go horseback-riding every summer when we would go on vacation.  Horseback-riding day was definitely my favorite day of vacation.  When I was very little, I would ride with my Fabulous Father.  He would hold the reins and guide the horse as I sat in his lap and took it all in.

I remember the first time I got to ride all by myself.  Oh... it was such an exciting day.  My horse's name was Peanut Butter.  He was old and gentle - and loved to eat.  On the trail, Peanut Butter kept stopping to eat the Colorado tundra.  The wrangle/guide told me to pull up on the reins.  Now, I had seen FF do this many times before, but my little six-year-old arms could not pull up a huge horse head like he could.  Finally, after hours of struggling with Peanut Butter, I had had enough.  I rallied all my might - took those reins in my little hands - and pulled as hard as I could.

<< CRACK >>

Everyone in our group stopped short.  It sounded like a gun going off in between the mountains.  Peanut Butter was standing there - head up, I should add - scared out of his poor, horse mind.

Everyone began laughing hysterically.  Apparently, when I pulled up on the reins, Peanut Butter's head came up and snapped a tree branch.  Since we were down between some mountains, the "snap" sound was magnified creating the "gun shot" sound.

I admit, I felt horrible for scaring my horse, but let me tell you - he did NOT put his head down to eat the rest of the ride.

Who had the reins?
I did.
Who wanted the reins?
Peanut Butter did.

My first horseback-ride on Peanut Butter.

I read something in my Bible Study this week that "hit" me hard on the head this week.

Lies Women Believe, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss:

Why is it so hard to let God be God?
Why is it so hard to turn over to Him the management of the universe?

THE TRUTH is, He IS in control.
He loves us, and He isn’t going to fall asleep on the job or let something slip by His notice. 

When we refuse to let go of the reins, we are really vying for His job.

The pathway to freedom is to relinquish all control of our own lives, of our families, and of every circumstance in our lives.  Not until then will we see Him do what only He can do.

How often do we try and take the reins away from God?  I know I try.
What I had not put together is that every time I try and take the reins away from God, I am "vying for His job."

Woah there!  I know that I do NOT want to do that.
I much prefer to be like Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Luke 1:38

"I am the Lord’s slave," said Mary.  "May it be done to me according to your word."

Rather than taking the reins, Mary simply says, "I am the Lord's slave."  She intentionally steps away from the reins.  She deliberately relinquishes all control to the One who is already in control.

How much trouble would we stay out of if we would step away from the reins?

I know in my own life, God has been prodding me for quite some time.  I decided to take the reins and ignore Him.  Yesterday, after reading my Bible Study, God again poked me.  This time, I listened - and guess what - He was right all along (of course).  Why did I go against the Creator of the entire universe for so long, trying to rely on my strength?  Why did I try and take His job?  

The only way to experience true freedom and peace is to let go of the reins—to relinquish all control to God, believing that He can be trusted to manage all that concerns us.