P4E.140 The Best Safety Device is a Careful Man - Part 4

Construction Site Sign

A safe man is careful with: The way he drives (cont'd)

Driving is one of the places where the 'rubber meets the road' as far as our Christianity goes. Would we be more careful if we referred to it as our Christian 'drive' instead of our Christian 'walk?'

Driving is the most common activity where I make the conscious decision:

"I AM FIRST."

That is to say:

'My destination is more important than yours'

'My time is more important than yours'

'My driving skills are superior to yours'

'My car is more prestigious than yours'

'I am faster than you are'

'I have more power than you have'

'Outta my way, man!'

Our personalities are exposed by our driving. Some are defensive. Some are offensive. There are those that play hard and fast with the rules. There are those that are vehemently offended by the ones who play hard and fast with the rules. Some are overly cautious and slow. Some throw caution to the wind. Some place 'Christian' stickers on their cars so that we may identify them as 'Christians,' as they blow by us and cut us off. Is it any wonder that 'hypocrite' is the first word that comes to mind when the world thinks of Christians? (And I'm not just talking about driving!)

The 'I am first' attitude is so plainly contrary to Christ's teaching that I must take some time to stop and evaluate how I do what I do and why I do it. Scripture describes a war going on between my flesh and my spirit. I'm embarrassed to confess that, in my life, more battles are won by the flesh than the spirit. That is because my ways are not naturally God's ways. I must exert my spirit to strengthen it and make it fit for battle. (Scripture says 'Resist the devil and he will flee...') Then I might be able to shed the 'I am first' attitude, plan my time better, start a little earlier and drive with more self-control so that my drive could be more peaceful (self-control and peace being Fruit of the Spirit).

A group of men were discussing how angry and frustrated they would become when cut off on the freeway. But, one of the men said, 'I've never been cut off on the freeway.' As the others cynically expressed their disbelief, he explained, 'I've never been cut off because I always let the other person go first....'

Be safe, Kim