Welcome to the Land of California, where no body walks, and it is a popular
belief that driving is a God given right, God being the state of California.
But with that supposed right comes some different driving characteristics that
newcomers need to be aware of. In regards to traffic lights, yellow means speed
up and go through, red means 3-5 more cars will proceed before it is safe to
venture out on your green light. Entering the freeway means speeding up to
45-50, then when almost on the highway, signaling, then cut across all lanes
until you are in the fast lane, maintaining your speed, no matter what how fast
traffic is going. Causing braking, brakes to screech, and time for them to be
reminded they are no longer the most important person on the road, you are. The
turn signal also is not a warning, but a sure sign that the offender is about to
turn into your lane, within the next 10 miles if a senior, or at any moment they
choose. so beware. Another state given right....
No one travels the speed limit, and once past the exit/entranced offenders,
travel 15-20 mph above the posted limit. Until something exciting occurs, like
a man changing a tire, a CHP officer pulling someone over, or another freeway
approaching, then be ready to drop your speed to a crawl, then stop, then crawl
again, resuming your previous speed once you have conducted a thorough look at
the event. Which can occur at any moment. So, you’ve been warned. Be ready to
brake suddenly as you approach a car slowing down in your lane, as their cell
phone conversation is more important than highway safety. Also know that such
phone can be used to take a picture or video before calling 911 in case of an
emergency. Such is road courtesy out here, so welcome and drive safe. You may
not be able to pray in school, you still can in cars.
Parking is almost as dangerous if not more so than driving, we have the
Costco phenomenon here, where rather than walk another 30 feet into the store,
people will cruise around for a half hour looking for the closest space. And
when they find someone packing their groceries, stop in the middle, causing a
traffic jam of cars behind them, which those of us catty enough to walk will
find it dangerous to avoid a sudden urge to pass the offender. Be warned when
you see a Retired Navy sticker that a jam is about to occur. Or any woman under
the influence of minivan is a sure warning sign. Just park and walk around the
perimeter, shop and return to your car while the offender is still waiting.
Usually on their cell phone....So driving in California is different, as we just
were reminded after 5200 miles of out of state riding. With the most overlooked
characteristic on our roads one of courtesy, no one ever read the manual part
where it states “driving is a privilege, not a right.” Must not have been on
the test....
But someone passed them, they learned these habits somewhere, so who is to
blame? The yuk who passed them, the parent who finally gave in and handed them
the keys, or the rest of us? Note it is us, for no one assumes personal
responsibility. That would be, too personal. Such is the life of a driver in
California, but also the lives of many Christians. We all live by a different
code of the way we interpret scripture, and while some behave like Christians,
others continually study looking for loopholes for their sin. Studying to
become approved, but not by God, but by man, for God is far away, my friends at
church are more important, they are the ones to impress. Which brings to mind
how dangerous a church parking lot is after service, where the loving faithful
turn into aggressive stunt drivers on their way to lunch. Someone taught them
this, they didn’t make it up, I have found most church folk are followers,
rather than leaders, finding safety and acceptance in the pack, where it is
easier to say you trust God than to live a life where you do. And like the one
who signs off on the new driver, too many pastors sign off on sinful actions to
not make waves among their flock. Making it hard to navigate as a believer,
when the Bible shows one way, the pulpit another, yet we go off on our own.
Searching for the perfect place like the Costco driver, and the hell with anyone
who crosses them. Yet we are all given the same amount of faith, the same
spirit at salvation, yet too many still search for a way, neglecting that Jesus
is the way. Writing their own gospel according to their actions, all under the
guise of Christianity. Where Jesus comes first, after us. After all, wasn’t
the gospel supposed to be good news to us? For us? With this us first, the
other us whenever.
Jesus addressed this in the parables, trying to show us through everyday
occurrences how important it is for him to be Lord. For like driving, we may be
cruising one moment,and stopped the next. We don’t know what is around the next
curve, or when a tire will fall off an old truck. When a radar gun will be
thrust into our face and our sin of speed exposed. We are to be courteous
drivers, but are we courteous Christians? How many teachings have you heard on
the fruit of the spirit, but how many highlighting goodness and kindness? And
what better way to show his love than being kind? Being good, being courteous,
putting others first, as he did with us. OH, that Jesus....yeah, that
one.
Drive like hell, you’ll get there, an old saying goes, live like hell you
may go there to. For what is on the heart is portrayed in our words and
actions, conveyed by our attitudes. How many curse the horn that blew at them,
neglecting to recognize why, and that you were it? How we approach things
shows the Jesus in us, ever wonder why on ramps are so long? To give you time
to speed up and merge with speeding traffic, not slow it down. Yet too many
live at one speed, theirs, forgetting Jesus never hurried, nor was he ever
late. Is it possible you have passed Jesus by, and not known it? Or are
clogging up the way to him for others by your own lifestyle? If only driving
were as easy as Jesus shows it is to follow him, he has given us his spirit to
guide, to comfort, and to instruct us. Oh, that spirit...
So before driving off today, seek the spirit first. He knows where you
need to go, how to get you there, and where to park at Costco. Or church. How
to be courteous, good and kind, and show the kind of love to others you want
shown to you. Don’t be like the one on the freeway with their turn signal on
for miles, never wavering, until you go to pass, and then they cut you off.
Later telling the officer, “but I had my turn signal on...” What signal does
your life show about Jesus? The Declaration of Independence tells us all men
are created equal, only our driving habits separate us. Jesus makes the
difference, for while some pursue the right to happiness, the spirit fills us
with joy. Remember that the next time you point out to the woman on the phone
how she is number one. Hang up and drive, and remember not all are as fortunate
as us to live here. But we all can live in Christ...
By the way, gas is over $3.00/gallon here, I was paying $1.72 in Oklahoma
last week. Maybe the old Three Dog Night song about never been to heaven, but
been to Oklahoma is true. But being in the spirit will always be the only way
to travel. Now about that plastic Jesus on the dashboard of your car...and
please Lord, let’s hope it never rains!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com