Resisting the Sovereign stops when God has to slow you down.

Last week, heading down the highway too fast, I was pulled over by a state trooper. When he walked up to my window he asked me if I “knew why I was being stopped?” I looked at him with sincerity and said, “because stopping people that are going too fast is your job. My safety is your job and you’re just doing your job.” He blankly stared at me before taking the license from my hand. Holding it in his hands he asked me, “anything I should be worried about?” I told him that as far as I was aware, no but if he found anything to please tell me. He proceeded back to his squad car and then back up to my window. He handed me back my identification and said, “I just need you to slow down.” Turned around and made his way back to the car.

As he walked away, I leaned out of my window and thanked him for stopping me; even more so for doing his job. I sat there for a minute and thought about the different ways I could have chosen to respond. I could have gotten frustrated that I might be late to where I wanted to go. I could have panicked over a future that remained unseen. I could have become angry from his intention to slow me down. Or, I could be thankful that my safety is his job. Since that day, God has been pressing this circumstance directly into my spirit and awakening my spirit to see His sovereignty in the same way.

But, if I am really honest with you guys, I find myself resisting the Sovereign stops in my life. I find myself questioning His motive for slowing me down and I begin to think He doesn’t want good things for me. It’s in this space I hear His prompting and see the revelation in my response.

I can get frustrated and anxious that I will not be where I am supposed to be when I am supposed to be there. To that, I believe God would say “there is a time for everything” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) so you can slow down.

I can panic over a future that remains unseen. To which I believe God would say, “in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) So, you will be where you need to be when you need to be there. I can become angry by his intention to slow me down. To which I believe He would say, “do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:27) Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)Or, I can be eternally thankful that my safety is His job. His willingness to stop me from going too fast isn’t that of a hindrance but that of His Holiness. To which I believe He gently would say, “do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) for “in their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

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Dear God, give me the wisdom to trust the Sovereign stops you’ve set before me.