On Sunday, while driving to church, my check engine light started flashing. The manual recommended not driving the car over 31mph (not sure why they didn’t just go with 30 but I’ll take the extra 1mph) and taking the car straight to a shop. I turned around, went home, and arranged my schedule so I could take the car in on my way to work Monday morning.
From the moment I woke up Monday morning, I was dreading my commute to work. At no point was I going to be able to drive the speed limit. I decided to change my route and take Highway 70 because even though I’d be going over 20mph under the speed limit, at least cars would be able to get around me. This decision made me dread it even more because it meant more cars would be around. I had my hazard lights on but that didn’t make it any better for me.
As a driver, one of the things I hate the most is when people don’t drive the speed limit. I even wrote a blog post about it a few years ago (you can read it here). The fact that I was going to be “that driver” my entire way to work was killing me. My trip was an extremely humbling experience. I prayed for green lights because getting up to 31mph from a complete stop was painfully slow. All I could think of was the things I would be thinking (or saying) if I were the cars behind me. Spoiler alert: none of them were kind or loving.
My car made it to the shop and was fixed, but I was reminded of some lessons along the way. One was how selfish I can be. I’m definitely a selfish driver and don’t want people to inconvenience me, but it also shows up in other areas of my life. The other was to make sure I’m not just looking at things from my perspective.
James 3:16-17 says, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” I need to walk more in the wisdom from above. If I’m not when I’m driving, where else am I falling short?
until next time…