I am an aggressive driver. When I’m behind the wheel, my senses are heightened; my vocal chords are primed to emit exasperating groans. Why? Because I know from the moment I start the engine, my ability to maneuver around careless drivers will be tested.
While driving, I learn my escape routes (this one is especially useful in any form of traffic). I also know the rules of driving and I am a stickler when it comes to obeying them. I follow them because I know they are in place to keep me and the rest of the driving community safe. There are, unfortunately, a few drivers out there who love to make up the rules as they go along. Being considerate of other drivers is as foreign as driving on the opposite side of the road. If they don’t cause a fender bender from cutting someone off without signaling or create a potential, multi-car collision from riding so close to the bumper of another car, they consider themselves excellent drivers.
I’ve crossed paths with a few such drivers along my daily travels to and from work and my response is always the same. I’m thrown off guard when something out of the ordinary happens and I tend to react in a not-so-favorable manner. I do catch myself from time to time and I immediately ask for God’s forgiveness when my groans into scathing words. “Augh! That was so-ooo stuu-pid!” or “What are you, a moron!?” have spilled from my lips once too often, I’m afraid to say.
But as I have prayed some rather insistent prayers for cops to come out of hiding, I began noticing a biblical context for dealing with the enemy as it pertains to driving through life’s issues. We know all too well that the enemy has an agenda. And with a careless disregard, his vehicle of destruction is built on lies and character assassinations. He knows how to broadside our faith by rear ending us with doubt and anxiety. We may be aggressive in our Christian walk, but we inadvertently tend to react to his antics in a not-so-victorious manner. Instead of reacting in defense, we can take an offensive approach to life. Read your “driver’s manual” – God’s word. And if we flip to 1 Peter 5, you’ll find God instructing us to “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Next, put into practice what you learned either in driver’s education or from the bold soul who taught you how to drive. When you’re faced with perilous circumstances, take a lesson from the Apostle Paul - “stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).
For anyone, it’s a good thing to reach our destinations safely. But as life goes, we are bound to encounter a few careless drivers along the way. When we do, remember your training in Christian Driver’s Ed!
2 comments:
I have a confession to make: I have been known to let my finger to the talking a time or two! Whoops!
That ol' prowling enemy isn't going to get the best of me, though! Thanks for reminding me to memorize the manual!
Yesterday I had a two hour one way trip on the Interstate highway. I became so frustrated with the slow drivers in the left lane over and over.
I stared at them each time as I passed them on the right. I know they probably had cruise control on and it was convenient for them to just settle in that lane.
I suppose for us, Doris, the greater question is why do we get so bothered when this keeps recurring and we have no real way to get it changed? When you come up with the new way to drive with the old issues but a new calm free attitude in joy please send me a note or call me. I need some relief down here!!!
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