Recently I came across a few videos by American Idol winner and Country Singer Carrie Underwood. While personally I enjoy the video for “Before he cheats”, I was interested to note that “Jesus take the wheel” had won a bunch of awards including the Grammy award for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and the Gospel Music Association's Best Country Single.
Leaving aside the issue of whether the song is stirring and inspirational or vomit-inducing kitsch (I'm torn between these poles...), the theological question it raised for me is, “Does Jesus want to take my wheel?” Is 'Handing things over to God' either practical or theologically coherent and if so, in what sense do we 'give God control'? Speaking personally I can't recall a time when I felt I truly wasn't in control of my actions, and I'm not sure I'd like it if I did feel that way. What I want for myself is not to have an outside entity take control of my life (don't we call that possession?), but rather to be formed in my personality, values and habits such that the choices I make freely and personally are aligned with the goals and values of God who was in Christ.
What does anyone else think?