Articles
You Think Metro Driving is Bad
One morning, while driving to the church office, I was coming up the four lane highway called “Jonesboro Road” at Sam’s Club. The person behind me came up quickly on my bumper. She was so close I thought she may have been wanting to thank me for obeying the speed limit. I was mistaken. Beside me, on the inner lane, was a large panel truck. We were both doing about the same speed. Well, she decided she would pass me by using the emergency lane of the highway. By this time there was a vehicle in the emergency lane turning into Martin’s Restaurant. I had to slow down and let this person pass to avoid her hitting the other vehicle. She was driving furiously.
There are a lot of complaints about metro area driving. You can listen to the traffic reports during the day and hear of many drivers who failed in some way to follow the rules of the road. Some people are speeding. Others may be darting in and out of traffic trying to get ahead of the next car. Some may be distracted.
You may find it interesting to know that Atlanta was not the first to suffer from madness on the roadways.
In 2 Kings 9 the prophet Elisha called for one of the sons of the prophets to go and anoint Jehu as the new king over the northern tribes of Israel. After his anointing, Jehu climbed into a chariot and headed toward Jezreel where Joram, the king of Israel was.
A watchman of Jezreel reported that a company of men were coming. So, Joram sent out a horseman to ask if this company of men was coming for peace. But the horseman joined with Jehu and his company. A second horseman did the same. Then the watchman reported to king Joram, “He went up to them and is not coming back; and the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously!” (2 Kgs. 9:20).
Jehu had a reputation of driving a chariot “furiously.” Young’s Literal Translation says, “with madness he driveth.” The tower watchman knew of Jehu’s reputation as a chariot driver. Do you believe Jehu deserved to get a traffic ticket for reckless chariot driving?
Do your driving habits reflect your spirit? Listen to Paul’s instructions for a Christian’s spirit: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Col. 3:12-13). When people see you afar off, can they recognize you by the way you “drive”? Have you “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering…”?
Maybe you have an unresolved issue with a brother of sister. Notice the word “must” in this passage. Christ is our example for forgiveness. When people see you do they recognize that spirit of forgiveness that was in Christ in you? According to the inspired word, this is not optional.
Jehu was recognized afar off by his reputation for driving a chariot. Let us be recognized by our spirit of longsuffering, kindness, meekness and forgiveness.
