Cruise Control

Rachel Vaughn
Jun 25, 2025
5 min read

Have you ever driven somewhere and realized you don’t even remember part of the trip? Or maybe you’ve gone through an entire day, checked off your to-do list, and thought, “Wait… what did I even do today?” That’s called being on autopilot — and if we’re honest, it happens more often than we’d like to admit.

Let's talk about how to snap out of autopilot and live with intention. God calls us to be present, not just to go through the motions but to live fully awake to His presence and purpose in our lives.

Romans 12:2 (NLT) — “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Autopilot can sneak up on us — whether it’s in our routines, our relationships, or even in our faith. We get comfortable, going through the motions, and before we know it, we’re just coasting. But God calls us to live with purpose. Let’s talk about recognizing when we’re in autopilot and how to wake up to the life God has for us.

Signs You’re on Autopilot:

Feeling like your days blurred together.

Praying the same words out of habit, not from the heart. We get into the routine of repetitiveness.

Reacting to life instead of actively engaging with it. Not really paying attention to what was going on around us.

A way that we can snap out of autopilot and be aware of what is happening is to pause throughout your day and ask yourself, “Am I present right now?” We need to make sure we are taking notice and not missing things.

When was the last time you felt truly present in the moment?

Busyness and routine can numb us to life’s beauty.

Fear of change or discomfort can keep us stuck in familiar patterns.

The enemy loves when we’re distracted because it keeps us from hearing God’s voice.

A quick moment to breathe, pray, and refocus can help us to stay aware of what God is doing in our lives.

What’s one area of your life where you feel stuck in a routine?

Romans 12:2, which is our main scripture for today, reminds us that God wants to renew our minds daily.

Living with purpose means letting God guide our thoughts and actions.

Have you ever made it to the end of your day and thought, “What did I even accomplish today?” Or “I know I did stuff, but what did I do?” The other day, my husband said, “I feel like I didn’t get anything done today,” then he proceeded to list all he had gotten done.

We can fill our days with so much and so many decisions that we just feel like we didn’t do anything or enough.

Start each day with a short prayer asking God to help you be present and aware of His leading.

How can you invite God to guide your day more intentionally?

God doesn’t just want your Sundays — He wants to be part of your everyday life.

Find one daily task where you intentionally invite God into the moment.

What’s a routine part of your day where you can start inviting God in?

I remember a season when my days felt like a blur — wake up, take care of the family, go to work, do homework with the kids, make dinner, sleep, and repeat. One Saturday morning, I felt a nudge to just stop and sit with God. No agenda. No checklist. Just me and Him. I went outside and immersed myself in God’s creation. That quiet moment snapped me out of my rut and reminded me that every day is a gift — not just something to get through.

Sometimes all it takes is one intentional moment with God to break the cycle.

When was the last time you had a quiet moment with God, free of distractions?

Breaking autopilot doesn’t mean overhauling your life overnight. It means taking small steps.

Small acts of kindness not only brighten the person's day but also make you realize the importance of paying attention to those around you and making a difference, no matter how small. It can also lead to unexpected connections and empathy.

Sometimes, those small acts of kindness can simply be asking questions to get to know someone or pausing to breathe and taking in a moment to reset, smiling at a stranger, or offering a quick prayer — these can all create a ripple effect.

What’s one small change you can make to live more intentionally?

Once we break free from autopilot, the goal is to stay awake to God’s presence daily.

Life isn’t just about surviving — it’s about thriving with purpose.

Just like any habit, staying intentional takes practice.

God’s mercies are new every morning — each day is a fresh start.

Begin each morning by thanking God for the new day before your feet even hit the floor.

How can you make space to hear God’s voice today?

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is stop and listen.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to simply be still?

Life is too precious to live on autopilot.

Every moment is an opportunity to experience God’s goodness and share it with others.

A few weeks ago, I had a girl’s day, and then the following weekend, I had another girl’s day. The next day after that, my son had friends over. I was thinking about that and how blessed it is to have moments like that. Those moments and times are rare, and I want to take notice because it is so nice to be with people and just enjoy ourselves.

End each day by reflecting on one moment you felt God’s presence.

How can you celebrate today as a gift from God?

I want to leave you with this thought: Life isn’t meant to be rushed through or checked off like a to-do list. Every moment holds purpose. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to let God transform us by renewing our minds. That means waking up — every single day — to the beauty, the challenges, and the joy that God places in front of us.

Embrace each day as a gift. Let’s choose to live fully awake to God’s presence and His purpose.