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A
challenging time for a parent is when your teenager is learning to drive. With
our fifth child having recently completed driver's education, you might think
I would be an old pro at it by now. However, each one of them had different intensity,
coordination and commonsense levels. Getting those eyes, hands, brains and feet
to all work together can be a challenge.
Paramount in learning to drive is developing
the skill of steering. Starting and stopping smoothly can be safely perfected
on the street, but
steering must be right before you get into traffic. More than once I lovingly
(and of course without
panic) reached for the wheel of my trainees.
Every believer has some responsibility when
it comes to steering the lives of other believers. Our interference isn't
always popular but look
at what James' last words to his readers say. "My brethren, if any among
you strays from the truth
and one turns him back... (he will) cover a multitude of sins." The
loving thing to do can be to stand up to someone and show them their sinful
direction.
Watch for "God-given" opportunities to
lovingly steer someone from sin, but don't seek those
opportunities. As a rule we each have enough concerns of our own.
Handling this takes real wisdom. Don't
be surprised if your trainee isn't very happy when you try to "grab the
wheel." Always do it
in a loving manner.
All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise
noted.
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~ Loving
Steering 
