How Fast Do You Drive?
By Pastor Troy
As a result of the cooler weather recently, we have been going for more walks as a family. The other night while we were out for a nice evening stroll, we noticed an interesting factoid about our human nature as the cars sped by: when people slide behind the wheel of a car they are guilty until proven innocent and I have proof.
Our neighborhood association must have decided that people were driving too fast because the other night when we were out on our walk, we noticed they were able to get the “mobile conscience for drivers.” You know, that little trailer that has your speed in big orange numbers so when you drive by you can see how fast you are really going. I always thought this breach of privacy was pointless considering the fact that everyone has a speedometer in their own vehicle. Boy, was I wrong….every single car slowed down the instant they saw their speed published on the mobile conscience. At first it seemed coincidental, but after more than ten cars in a row doing the exact same thing, it is just as well a proven fact…every driver (except the one in front of me when I am late) in America breaks the speed limit.
Since my research findings indicate that everyone breaks the speed limit at one time or another, how does a police officer decide who to pull over? This is not to burst the officer’s bubble, but I know for a fact that they make mistakes…and here is how I know. A few years ago, I was driving on I-70 past Noland road and for some very good reason was exceeding the speed limit…(”All have Sinned…”) Those of you who have a career in law enforcement may want to stop reading here (I don’t want to get your e-mail response on this one :)). I was passing a mini-van driving in the center lane and as soon as I edged past the front bumper, I immediately noticed a police car hidden on the side of the road with a radar gun. This ranks on the level of miraculous (there is also no need to discuss theology on this issue either :)), but I immediately hit my brake and the mini-van sped on ahead of me. It was at this point that I noticed the red and blue flashing lights and was only able to breathe a sigh of relief when the police car passed by me - and then I gasped when he pulled over the mini-van.
No, I did not stop to let the police officer know he had probably clocked my car on the radar and pulled over the mini-van. I counted it as a blessing and went on the afternoon thanking the Lord for my near-ticket experience.
We all know the feeling of passing by a police car, glancing down at the speedometer and then immediately looking in the rearview mirror for the flashing blue and red lights. It is not an accident that these same blue and red lights lead funeral processions. This may sound a little crazy, but the first time I was pulled over as a teenager, I figured we could get it all out of the way at once, speeding ticket and funeral. Fortunately, my dad found it in his heart to give me a second chance. No matter how slow or fast I am driving, whenever I see those blue and red lights, I am overcome with that sick feeling that makes my heart race, my stomach drop and my breathing irregular.
This is because down deep inside, I know I have a problem....I live in a city where the speed limits are not set high enough to keep up with my pace of life. Seriously, I fall into the same category as the Jews to whom Jesus spoke in John 8:34, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” I am enslaved by an insatiable desire to break the law. Amazingly, there is an escape from this bondage that is found in John 8:36, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” This freedom extends far beyond my propensity to speed on the highway, it is a freedom that brings with it inexhaustible grace and eternal peace.
This Sunday, we will take a close look at John 8:31-59 – Please join me in praying for God to do His supernatural work in each of our lives.
As a result of the cooler weather recently, we have been going for more walks as a family. The other night while we were out for a nice evening stroll, we noticed an interesting factoid about our human nature as the cars sped by: when people slide behind the wheel of a car they are guilty until proven innocent and I have proof.
Our neighborhood association must have decided that people were driving too fast because the other night when we were out on our walk, we noticed they were able to get the “mobile conscience for drivers.” You know, that little trailer that has your speed in big orange numbers so when you drive by you can see how fast you are really going. I always thought this breach of privacy was pointless considering the fact that everyone has a speedometer in their own vehicle. Boy, was I wrong….every single car slowed down the instant they saw their speed published on the mobile conscience. At first it seemed coincidental, but after more than ten cars in a row doing the exact same thing, it is just as well a proven fact…every driver (except the one in front of me when I am late) in America breaks the speed limit.
Since my research findings indicate that everyone breaks the speed limit at one time or another, how does a police officer decide who to pull over? This is not to burst the officer’s bubble, but I know for a fact that they make mistakes…and here is how I know. A few years ago, I was driving on I-70 past Noland road and for some very good reason was exceeding the speed limit…(”All have Sinned…”) Those of you who have a career in law enforcement may want to stop reading here (I don’t want to get your e-mail response on this one :)). I was passing a mini-van driving in the center lane and as soon as I edged past the front bumper, I immediately noticed a police car hidden on the side of the road with a radar gun. This ranks on the level of miraculous (there is also no need to discuss theology on this issue either :)), but I immediately hit my brake and the mini-van sped on ahead of me. It was at this point that I noticed the red and blue flashing lights and was only able to breathe a sigh of relief when the police car passed by me - and then I gasped when he pulled over the mini-van.
No, I did not stop to let the police officer know he had probably clocked my car on the radar and pulled over the mini-van. I counted it as a blessing and went on the afternoon thanking the Lord for my near-ticket experience.
We all know the feeling of passing by a police car, glancing down at the speedometer and then immediately looking in the rearview mirror for the flashing blue and red lights. It is not an accident that these same blue and red lights lead funeral processions. This may sound a little crazy, but the first time I was pulled over as a teenager, I figured we could get it all out of the way at once, speeding ticket and funeral. Fortunately, my dad found it in his heart to give me a second chance. No matter how slow or fast I am driving, whenever I see those blue and red lights, I am overcome with that sick feeling that makes my heart race, my stomach drop and my breathing irregular.
This is because down deep inside, I know I have a problem....I live in a city where the speed limits are not set high enough to keep up with my pace of life. Seriously, I fall into the same category as the Jews to whom Jesus spoke in John 8:34, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” I am enslaved by an insatiable desire to break the law. Amazingly, there is an escape from this bondage that is found in John 8:36, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” This freedom extends far beyond my propensity to speed on the highway, it is a freedom that brings with it inexhaustible grace and eternal peace.
This Sunday, we will take a close look at John 8:31-59 – Please join me in praying for God to do His supernatural work in each of our lives.
posted by Admin at
4:56 PM
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