Ever since I had a close encounter of the worst-kind with Bambi’s mom, early last December, my driving habits have changed. I try to remain on high-alert, scanning the road ahead and both ditches, lest another high-speed deer drone come hurtling into my vehicle.
And, I drive slower. M u c h s l o w e r.
On country trunks posted at 45, I plod along following the speed limit, or staying under. Ditto if it’s 35. On state highways posted at 55, I’m at the speed limit...or under. Significantly under at dawn and dusk.
It works out well for me since I’m retired(ish), and my schedule is usually flexible. When the schedule does dictate, like for worship services at Trinity, I just leave early. I can always pack a lunch.
There is, however, a problem with my new, old-man, deer-shy, driving habits. And the problem is with everybody else. Generally speaking, they are all in a hurry, so other drivers are not happy when they come barreling up behind me at insane speeds like 62 (7 miles over, always deemed safe from police). Some drivers then glue themselves to my bumper, until I get to my destination. These drivers I label, “Passing Cowards.”
Others are ready to meet their Maker. Even if I’m on County Trunk J, west of E, these speed-crazed driving demons will rocket up to my bumper, almost tap it a few times to wake me up, and when that fails, they will barrel on by me, even though it’s a no-passing zone and a blind curve. Such drivers I label…well, let’s just skip that.
But the worst part? While my eye is glued to my rear-view mirror, and my blood-pressure spikes, and sweat rolls down my cheeks in worry, what about the road ahead? I might have passed (or run over) a flock of turkeys, a herd of deer, a mamma bear with cubs, a bull-moose, some green alligators and long-neck geese, 2 humpy-back camels and some chimpanzees. I would not have noticed. That’s what happens when I drive distracted by the rear-view mirror.
If driving distracted by my rear-view mirror is dangerous, far more dangerous is living our Christian lives while being distracted by the pressures of everyday life. That’s the point Jesus made one day when a man came up to him and said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say good-bye to those at my home.” (Luke 9:61) Sounds like an innocent enough request, doesn’t it? Elisha made the exact same request to Elijah, and Elisha was granted that request. (1 Kings 19:20) But remember our Savior reads hearts and minds like an open book. That’s why Jesus responded to the man by saying, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
Cars weren’t invented in Jesus’ day, so Jesus used an agrarian picture to make his point. You can’t plow a straight furrow always looking back. The plowing will be a crooked mess!
And you and I can’t be part-time Christians. Jesus wants us to be all-in. (Mark 12:30) Always focused on him. Always looking ahead Not distracted by temptations, hobbies, fun, work, school, even family. Rather with Paul, we need to say, “For me to live is Christ!” (Philippians 1:21)
Jesus wants our faith-life to be laser-focused ahead with no rear-view mirror distractions. That’s why I pray the Apostle Paul’s confession will be yours and mine. “Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus also took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
Privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
And, I drive slower. M u c h s l o w e r.
On country trunks posted at 45, I plod along following the speed limit, or staying under. Ditto if it’s 35. On state highways posted at 55, I’m at the speed limit...or under. Significantly under at dawn and dusk.
It works out well for me since I’m retired(ish), and my schedule is usually flexible. When the schedule does dictate, like for worship services at Trinity, I just leave early. I can always pack a lunch.
There is, however, a problem with my new, old-man, deer-shy, driving habits. And the problem is with everybody else. Generally speaking, they are all in a hurry, so other drivers are not happy when they come barreling up behind me at insane speeds like 62 (7 miles over, always deemed safe from police). Some drivers then glue themselves to my bumper, until I get to my destination. These drivers I label, “Passing Cowards.”
Others are ready to meet their Maker. Even if I’m on County Trunk J, west of E, these speed-crazed driving demons will rocket up to my bumper, almost tap it a few times to wake me up, and when that fails, they will barrel on by me, even though it’s a no-passing zone and a blind curve. Such drivers I label…well, let’s just skip that.
But the worst part? While my eye is glued to my rear-view mirror, and my blood-pressure spikes, and sweat rolls down my cheeks in worry, what about the road ahead? I might have passed (or run over) a flock of turkeys, a herd of deer, a mamma bear with cubs, a bull-moose, some green alligators and long-neck geese, 2 humpy-back camels and some chimpanzees. I would not have noticed. That’s what happens when I drive distracted by the rear-view mirror.
If driving distracted by my rear-view mirror is dangerous, far more dangerous is living our Christian lives while being distracted by the pressures of everyday life. That’s the point Jesus made one day when a man came up to him and said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say good-bye to those at my home.” (Luke 9:61) Sounds like an innocent enough request, doesn’t it? Elisha made the exact same request to Elijah, and Elisha was granted that request. (1 Kings 19:20) But remember our Savior reads hearts and minds like an open book. That’s why Jesus responded to the man by saying, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
Cars weren’t invented in Jesus’ day, so Jesus used an agrarian picture to make his point. You can’t plow a straight furrow always looking back. The plowing will be a crooked mess!
And you and I can’t be part-time Christians. Jesus wants us to be all-in. (Mark 12:30) Always focused on him. Always looking ahead Not distracted by temptations, hobbies, fun, work, school, even family. Rather with Paul, we need to say, “For me to live is Christ!” (Philippians 1:21)
Jesus wants our faith-life to be laser-focused ahead with no rear-view mirror distractions. That’s why I pray the Apostle Paul’s confession will be yours and mine. “Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus also took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
Privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
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