Life without a car in the United States can be challenging. Let's just say not having a vehicle where I live made life more adventurous!

 

After bumming a hundred rides from friends and riding a bike through the rain for miles, I became desperate for a set of wheels. Suddenly there it was-a beautiful pearl white '95 VW Jetta, complete with a moonroof and spoiler. My search was over. I loved this car, and soon it would be mine!

 

Nothing, not even God, was going to keep me from my dream of cruising around in my new sports car! I needed a car now, and not only was it a good deal, but the Jetta was just the image I was looking for!

 

There was only one little catch. On my way to seal the deal, I felt a hesitation in my spirit-a warning-not once, but three times it came. I believe this check in my spirit came from God. "What, Lord? Are you kidding?" This is a great deal! How can I go wrong with this one? I know what I want, and this is it!" Some of you may have had a conversation or argument with God much like mine.

 

When we push aside His warnings and try to convince Him that our way is better, we set ourselves up for what I call the "The Great Deception." The deception is that we as human beings somehow know what's best for us-that the Creator of the universe, the One who knows the beginning from the end, who knit you together in your mother's womb, and "determined the times set for you and the exact places where you should live," doesn't really have our best interest in mind. In fact, that perhaps He is keeping us from something better.

 

Within a week of owning the car, the transmission began to slip. Making it go from first to second gear was a challenge on a good day. One of the worst things that can go wrong mechanically happened to my car. The transmission died. After mourning the death of my newly found four-wheeled treasure, I cried out to God for mercy. I had no money left. The price of the car had taken my last cent. To my surprise, my dear friend who had sold me the car had mercy on me. He paid for a rebuilt transmission!  Even though things worked out for me in this situation, I still wish I had listened to the nudge from the Holy Spirit, and held off buying the Jetta.

I will leave you with a quote that exposes "The Great Deception." It's the same lie the serpent used with Eve in the garden. The lie that says: "If I choose God's way, I will somehow miss out on something better."

  

The challenge: The next time you think you have it all figured out, and know what's best, remember the following words of one of the wisest men to ever live.