That Deliberate Turn
I pulled into the parking lot, unable to recall the drive in. An afterthought jolted me: a big yellow bus full of kids with a flashing red stop sign extended. I sped by without acknowledging its existence.
"How had I gotten here?"
That was my thought when I wheeled in on two, landing on four. As I slid into the office...autopilot, I was living on autopilot, never touching down until I crashed into the next thing head-on.
Autopilot, it's the same thing: predictable, expectant, comfortable, and dangerous. I was living in the danger zone with metal under tension, begging to touch and go, heading into another day in the twilight zone.
I sat in my car that day and re-played the event as it flashed RED through my mind. This fast-paced, auto-pilot life had to be disconnected because I had become disengaged mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
As I reflected upon the event, I realized that my life on autopilot was a close cousin to complacency, a spiritual slumber where the once vibrant colors of caution and stop become elusive in a fading world of life.
When I looked into the mirror of my soul, I realized I was not a reflection of God's Word. I needed a complete tune-up. For the divine guidance to steer me back into life, a life of purpose and presence. I had to experience the shock of truth to jump-start me from autopilot's complacency to the beating heart of life.
The Danger Zone: Living on Auto-Pilot
Living on auto-pilot may seem like the easy route — as I said before, it's routine, predictable, and comfortable, actually the feeling of safety. Yet, beneath this thin layer of comfort lies a hazardous at-ease way: the loss of conscious living. When we're on auto-pilot, life becomes a series of tasks to be completed rather than moments to be cherished. We risk missing God's divine moments, whispers, and gentle nudges to redirect our path, grow, love, and serve. As Revelation 3:2 warns, "Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God."
Disengaging the Auto-Pilot: Strategies for Conscious Living
Mindful Moments: Intentionally create moments of stillness in your day. Use these times to reflect, pray, and seek God's direction. Psalm 46:10 invites us to "Be still and know that I am God."
Prayer on Purpose: Shift from reciting habitual, shallow prayers to engaging in purposeful conversations with God. Share your fears and your dreams, and listen for His guidance.
Grow with Intention: Choose to grow, not because circumstances demand it, but because life is worth living, and you are worth living life. Embrace both the joys and challenges life offers. Ask God's will, notice where He is at work, and meet him there. 2 Peter 3:18 encourages us, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Reflecting on the Mirror of God's Word
The Word of God acts as a mirror, reflecting our true selves and revealing the areas in our lives that have been set on autopilot. It offers not condemnation but conviction, urging us to awaken from our slumber and embrace a life of active, conscious faith—a life to live mentally, physically, spiritually, and with emotions present.
Scriptural Reflection: Regularly immerse yourself in Scripture. Let the living Word guide you, reveal truths, and transform your heart.Community, Connection: Surround yourself with a community of believers who challenge and inspire you. As Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Service and Stewardship: Step out of the danger zone, your comfort zone, and into a life of service. We find purpose, joy, and the antidote to autopilot living in serving others.
In the mirror of God's Word, we see life as it's meant to be lived — not in the fading haze of autopilot but in the vibrant clarity of purposeful engagement. It's a journey of constant awakening, rediscovering joy in the mundane, and finding peace in the chaos. As we diligently disengage from the autopilot of our lives, we open ourselves to the fullness of God's plan, a journey marked not by complacency but by a vibrant, living, active faith that transforms every moment into an opportunity to live, love, and reflect His glory.
"Life on autopilot is like driving down a long, straight highway, never turning the steering wheel. You may cover a lot of ground but miss the breathtaking sights off the beaten path. Take control, turn deliberately, and let every mile bring a story worth telling."
As we make that deliberate turn, let's remember that life is meant to be lived with intention and awareness. Disengage the auto-pilot mode of your day-to-day routine. Let God's Word be your roadmap, guiding you. And when the road gets tough, remember that the most challenging paths often lead to the most breathtaking destinations.
The road ahead is yours to conquer – one intentional mile at a time as you use the mirror of God's word to guide and navigate your path.
Don't let another moment pass you by in the haze of autopilot. Make the decision now to live with purpose, guided by the wisdom of God's Word. This is not a call to simply dream of what could be—it's a call to action for what should be, for what must be!
This is your wake-up call! Disengage from the monotony. Choose today to live intentionally to navigate the twists and challenges with faith and determination. Let the scriptures be your map, let prayer be your compass, and let your faith fuel your journey.
The road ahead is not just to be traveled—it's to be conquered. With each mile, with each step, make your life a testament to a journey well-traveled, a story rich with meaning. Make this your moment of transformation. It's urgent, it's compelling—it's your life calling out for the adventure it was meant to live.
This is your after-thought jolt. Join me, and let's turn the pages of this journey together, writing a story that's worth every mile. The time is now—will you answer the call?
