Road Rules

(written: May 25, 2008)

 
The Plant City Police department is always out in force to slow down the traffic on Grant Street.  The speed limit on this cross-through street is 30 mph, but you often see people speed exceedingly higher than 30 mph.  Who me speed?  Well… I’ve had my moments.
This speed trap, luckily it was not the cops, has convicted me on more than one occasion.  This time it was a positive conviction.
For about six weeks, on a daily basis, one would either see a couple of police cars or motorcycles under the grand oak trees just waiting to catch speeders reaching to their next destination.  I travel that street, on average, eight times a day taking my children to and from two different schools.
The law enforcements’ presence became a comfort (daily reminder), a habit, on a daily basis.  I knew that 30 mph would be the speed to drive and I had no problem with conforming to that speed.  I used to be in such a rush to get to school and would speed to get there, but I found that, most of the time, my speeding was a “hurry up and wait” situation.  Whether it was a red light, a sslllooowww moving vehicle, or a good ole’ Plant City train, God always found a way to slow me down.  To my surprise, when I chose to drive the speed limit, and obey the rules of the road, I reached my final location in about the same amount of time, and without putting my life, or anyone else’s, in jeopardy.
Well, the other day, while driving my usual Grant Street route and obeying the speed limit, I was a bit taken back when I noticed there were no police officers around to make sure that there were no violators of speed.
This whole scenario made me think about my time with God.
How?  For example, when I’m in my in-depth Bible Studies for weeks at a time, I am in God’s Word daily.  His presence is always there because I want to obey, learn more about Him, and grow in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  Now, am I trying to learn more about those police officers or wanting to grow my relationship with them?  Not exactly, but I am aware of their daily presence and want to obey the rules of the road.
My weeks with God, during Bible Study group time, become a comfort, a habit.  Now when my study is over, I have a choice.  Do I continue to obey and follow His commands by having my daily devotion time, or do I toss the Biblical habit out and go back to the speediness of life and not have time for Him?  (Oh, now, there’s another devotion for another time.)
I believe I’ll choose to drive 30 mph on Grant Street, just as I choose to have my daily devotion time with God.  Oh, I’m sure there will be times when my foot may want to press a little more on the accelerator, but God’s sure to slow me down one way or the other.
Just the same, there is going to be days when I may not make that time with God, but I’m confident that God will definitely get my attention that day and I’ll want my time with Him.
Remember when I mention the part about “putting my life or anyone else’s in jeopardy”?  When I choose to not spend my daily time with God, I am putting my life in jeopardy.  When I miss time with Him, I can tell it; mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I jeopardize those areas by possibly succumbing to the temptations that surround me on a daily basis.  As a result, my witness/actions may and can affect someone else’s life.
In Philippians 2:12 Paul wrote to the Philippians “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.”  It’s my desire to choose to revere the rules of the road and above all, my God.
 

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