"WHAT!!?? People still follow the speed limit?" you exclaim. Yeah, I know...I live life on the edge.
It's actually nice. Not a lot of stress involved...let other folks go in front of you...I don't get bent out of shape because of other drivers' stupidity...well, at least not that often...I'm more entertained by people's haste and stressed out driving styles. Plus there's that follow-the-law and not-getting-a-ticket-for-speeding thing. That's nice too.
I live 2.8 miles from the church I work at...so one wouldn't think that there's much opportunity for bad driving experiences between church and home. Unfortunately, that's not usually the case. This morning, I was tailgated by 3 different people (one flashed his lights at me), all of who zoomed around me and told me I was number one. Then I was cut off by a city bus turning left in front of me only to then jam on his brakes so he could whip into the bus stop. I was quickly cut off from being able to move around him by the the four people behind me, who all thought it necessary to race around me and be first. I get around the bus only to get stuck behind a tractor (full sized Kubota farm tractor). Awesome.
I'm not really complaining because I had an enjoyable time listening to some tunes and worshipping. I'm just blown away by how often people think that they are so much more important than everyone. I see it all the time in how people drive, shop, eat, park, walk/run/bike, enter/exit somewhere, talk to others, act towards others, complain about things, get stressed out about things. It's ridiculous.
Our life is not more important than anyone else's...He is creator and He created us to serve Him and love others...not to be first/important/etc.
Give these couple things a try:
- "Rejoice in the Lord always. i will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 Here's a direct command from God to rejoice. It doesn't say be stressed, worried, freaked out, treat other people like junk, do everything you can to get to the top!!!! God says to rejoice in Him...period. Be satisfied with who you are and praise God daily because of who He is. Life...no...history really isn't about you...it's about God. Consider all He has done throughout space and time and then remember that He loves and cares for YOU! And yet we doubt and disobey Him and put us first? Wow.
- "Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 Again...leave the stress and anxiety behind. It's about trusting God and following Him. When's the last time you prayed for God to use you (and not pray about getting something or God doing something for you)?
- "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 How about that promise? Notice it doesn't say God will give you everything you want, take your pain away, and make life super easy. It DOES say that God's peace will be with you and allow you to get through whatever situation He has you in!
So here's the deal...let's get over ourselves and what we think is important (which too often is ourselves)...passionately seek God, and make ourselves available to Him daily/hourly/every moment. Serve God...not you (it's much more of an adventure anyway :) ). Stay strong.
Tim
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