Two senior ladies were cruising a busy street when they rolled right through a red light. Horns blared, tires squealed, and the ladies shrieked as they narrowly missed being smashed.
Shaken, the ladies continued to the next intersection where again the light was red. And again, they ran the light, creating chaos as drivers swerved to avoid colliding with them. “What are you doing, Mildred?” one lady screamed at the other. “You’re going to get us killed!”
“Me!” Mildred yelled. “I thought you were driving!”
As silly as that seems, sometimes we get confused about whether we are the driver or the passenger. As we begin a new year, it’s vital that we each realize that we are in the driver’s seat. The steering wheel for your life is in your hands.
Yes, there are others on the road. And, some of them may do things that affect you. Or, the weather might make driving difficult. But you are still in control. Whatever may happen to you in 2019, you get to decide how to steer past the obstacles. You can choose to be a victor of change instead of a victim of chance!
“A man reaps what he sows” is one way the Bible puts it (Galatians 6:7). Or, to get closer to our driving analogy, Jesus said that life’s outcome depends on a choice between two roads. “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,” Jesus said, “and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Too many think they are just along for the ride and fail to consider the route they choose.
Here are some seemingly unavoidable conclusions. Where you end up at the end of 2019 — or the end of life, whichever comes first — will be the direct result of the choices you make. Not all paths, or lifestyles, are equal. It matters which course you choose because, contrary to popular opinion, not all roads lead to life. Therefore, we should consider very carefully the direction we are taking this year.
If you want to be in a better place at the end of 2019 than at the end of 2018, change how you think about who is driving. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Stop blaming Mildred and take the wheel. Change course and steer toward success.

Keith Wishum is minister, Williams Road Church, Americus.