Rules of safe driving can set an example for how we should live. Driving is much more intense than walking, both in the attention it requires and the potential power wielded by the driver. So we have very strict rules for driving, both in law and in the “rules of the road”. Hence, it provides an amplified object lesson for life as it will be amplified in the hereafter.
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The most important element of
driving is to arrive at your destination safely. |
Your number one priority in life
must be to finish the race with faith in Christ. It is not to be rich,
famous, or popular. When you reach the end of your life those things won’t
matter. It can be tempting to put a spiritual disguise on success - to
glorify God by ... but be very careful that He has called you to it. The
temptations that go with success (mostly pride) are a rocky sea coast on which the faith of
many has shipwrecked. |
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Pay attention, don’t get distracted. |
In your travel with Christ, don’t
let worldly things, however exciting or attractive, distract you from paying
attention to what He is saying and doing in your life. Even good things can
be a distraction. When He blesses you with a gorgeous sunrise or scenic
vista, accept it gratefully, but keep your eyes on the prize. |
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Never tailgate. |
Don’t follow any individual human
too closely. Wise people can impart
much wisdom, but ultimately all are human and may stumble. Maintain enough
independence and distance so that God has space to warn you if someone wise is
going astray. |
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Flow with traffic unless it’s
unsafe. |
Choose your friends and associates
wisely. You can’t be a lone wolf. Be wary of those with worldly or
self-centered agendas. It is often hard to discern wolves in sheep’s
clothing. Pray for for enough discernment to recognize them. |
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Always use your turn signal for a
few seconds before you turn or change lanes. |
Don’t make your faith a complete
secret from those around you. You don’t have to preach at them, just let them
know when the Lord leads you to make a change. There is a fine line between a
testimony and a self-centered, self-righteous declaration of what God is
doing in your life. |
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Never react to a challenge from
another driver. |
When someone challenges your faith,
be wary of engaging them. The devil has many evangelists. Shun them. |
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When you change lanes, line up with
a gap in the target lane, match speeds, signal for a few seconds, then change
lanes. |
When you have found the people you
think you can trust as fellow-travelers, cautiously try to engage. Choose
wisely. Let the Holy Spirit guide you to a church and fellow believers that
you will journey through life with. |
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As an obvious corollary, for
everyone’s safety, when someone wants to merge in front of you, let them. |
Make space in your group for others
to join. There are many guidelines in the New Testament about fellowship, but
welcome those who want to join you. |
The bottom line on both driving and life should be obvious.
Exhibit God’s character in every thought, word, and deed. Be Christ to those
you encounter on the road of life.
