I’ve recently enjoyed one of parenting’s greatest
experiences… teaching a teenager to drive! Let me just say that it does wonders
for your prayer life. Actually my girl did great, especially considering she
had little to no experience driving any motorized vehicle before getting behind
the wheel. But there were a few things that occurred to me during our
adventures that I think may have broader application.
One of the things I encouraged her to do was to focus on
doing everything purposely smooth. Let me explain. Jack rabbit starts, abrupt
turns and sudden stops do not make for an enjoyable ride. It also causes
unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle. Gas mileage suffers, tires and brakes
need replaced more frequently and other components endure excessive strain.
Beyond all that it increases the probability that you will have an accident.
You know the same thing applies to life. I’ve observed
hundreds if not thousands of people over the course of more than two decades in
ministry. I’ve noticed that people who take thoughtful and intentional actions
do better than those who make rash decisions.
“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them
he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife
and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person
cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow
me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you
first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to
complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it,
everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to
build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war
against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able
with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty
thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is
still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way,
those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. “Salt
is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It
is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “Whoever
has ears to hear, let them hear.”” - Luke 14:25-35 NIV
In other words slow and steady wins the race… and saves wear
and tear on the vehicle… and avoids accidents… and makes for a more enjoyable
ride. Cars are meant to be driven just like lives are meant to be lived. A
follower of Jesus who does not serve their brothers and sisters in Christ and
their community is like an un-driven car. But a disciple who tries to do
everything only to burn out and quit is like car that has been driven into the
ditch. Both are going nowhere and both have lost their saltiness.
Do something, do it well and do it consistently. It works
when it comes to driving. It also works when it comes to your health, your
family, your finances, the Kingdom and well just about everything else. Small
adjustments over the course of time make huge differences and keep us on the
road and moving forward.
Be safe out there and just one more thing… don’t forget to
use your signals!
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