“Did you see the way that guy jumped over in the other lane! Honey, roll down your window. I want to give him a piece of my…” he said, thoroughly annoyed with the bad driving going on around him.
“Dear, there’s no need for that.” his wife remarked coldly.
“Just roll the… man, another stop light! It’s going to take an hour to go a couple blocks!” he responded, obviously agitated. The other car had just made the light, and he wanted to catch up.
“Dear, we’re in no hurry.” she said putting her hand on his arm. There was silence in the car for an elongated minute. “Why don’t you calm down…” But she did not have time to finish the sentence before he gunned the engine, throwing her back in her seat.
“Green light.”
Driving is an exercise in patience. It can bring out the worst in us. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We just need to keep in mind that whatever we do we do in the power of Christ. Driving is no different. The Spirit doesn’t leave us when we get behind the wheel.
Does your attitude change in the car? Do you become more aggressive? If not, then please just humor today’s devotion. But many people do, becoming angry at the apparent “lack of courtesy” others show, all the time unaware that they just cut someone off, forgot to signal, or are speeding past a motorcycle dangerously close to the dividing line. Many drivers give loud rebukes, lay on the horn, and do whatever else they can to show their displeasure.
If you have a tendency to ride people’s bumpers to let them know that you want them to get over so you can go past… you know what I mean.
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, maliscious behavior, slander, and dirty language…You must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:8,12-13Colossians 3:8,12-13
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
8 But now you must stop doing such things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer say insulting or cruel things about others. 12 . God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 . Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.
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But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.
James 3:17James 3:17
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.
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Here Colossians calls us to a better way, one where we demonstrate the nature of Christ in a tangible way. Your commute to work or church is not a “down” time. It is another opportunity to show the world kindness and patience, forgiveness and humility. And to practice the art of controlling the tongue. James reminds us that we are to think of others, to consider others before ouselves. Maybe even let them in your lane without rolling your eyes.
So start your engines…
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