Rules of the Road

What is it that makes us do some of the things we do?  I was driving back from southern Alberta last night and, as happens, a truck came up behind us and sat there following for a short while.  We went by a couple of long straight stretches with a dotted passing line, yet the truck stayed behind my car, seemingly content with following.  It was clear that in the dark there was no one coming the other way on these stretches, so I figured they were there for a while.  Now about 5 minutes later, on a curve, with a double line, and the reflection of lights coming around the corner, the individual driving the truck felt the sudden need to pass, not a really tight situation but then the other car was not going especially fast.  It may not be pertinent, but the driver passing us was also on their cell phone as they passed. 

It seems to me that we often seem to behave in the same way.  We have a window, a desire we want to fulfill, a time in which it is good and timely to accomplish this urging, yet we wait, we talk, and we take our time to finish what it is we are currently doing.  Then, when that is done to our satisfaction, we turn and jump into the fray, the activity, the urging that God gave us, without thought.  We do this because we are tight for time as we waited for something else we wanted. 

What is it we often say?  “If God wants it to happen, then God will make it happen.”  We use this reasoning for our lack of commitment to what God has asked of us. 

We are called to be in relationship with God.  He wants to spend time with us, to hear our needs, our desires, and our inmost thoughts.  He wants us to look around us and feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, heal the sick, make disciples of those we meet, starting from our homes and working out into the region.  We can only do that well, if we are listening to what God is whispering to us with that quiet voice He loves to use.  When we don’t listen, or when we look to place Him on hold while we finish what we are currently doing, we end up waiting while one or two good opportunities go by, and then we jump out and put our foot into it, passing on a double solid in a corner with a possible collision heading our way.  If my behaviour of the not so distant past is any indication, I may even blame the other guy for making my path more difficult. 

As we read Scripture, listening for God, sharing our heart, and developing the vision for that ministry, that small job, that helping hand we see the need for, we must also begin to look for the place to put our foot into it.  Passing on our highways takes care, skill, and a watchful eye to do it well and to do it safely.  To move the kingdom of God forward takes no less.  May we hear clearly, move swiftly, and consider the conditions for God’s timing in our lives.

Pastor Wally, Peace Community Church , Taylor .