The most anticipated birthday, the one where you can get your license, is
both exciting and scary. Learning to drive once you pass your permit test, it
takes a parent, sometimes a rare close friend, or driver’s ed. to teach you.
For me it was parents, in a 1966 Rambler Classic, how uncool. But learn I did,
and after many countless hours of being told “you’re too close, driving too
fast, look out for the kids playing,” you finally are ready for the driving
test. The behind the wheel one, where all the urban legends come into play,
just to scare or intimidate you. While sitting in line waiting my turn at the
Plainfield DMV, I was rehearsing the “keep your hands at 2 and 10, adjust
mirror, no music, and be polite.” All that and being tested to drive, to obtain
your freedom at the same time. No wonder some fail. But when it came my turn, I
was calm, I knew how to drive, and when the man slid in the seat next to me, I
was ready. No way those hands were coming off the wheel, even to shake his
hand. But he was cool, and told me “go left out of the parking lot, and go down
a few blocks.” So far so good, and next “pull over, you want a Coke? I’m
getting one.” Uh oh, the dreaded parallel parking test, but the spots were
clear and I glided in. He hopped out, then came back. And back we went to the
DMV. His only other question was “how long you been driving?” To which I
mumbled something, too scared to tell the truth, or too excited to remember.
And I had passed! I was street legal, and as soon as I dropped off my mother,
who bravely went with me, I was off. On my own....I had my license!
But no experience. And suddenly something hit me, I was alone. No one to
comment, instruct, chastise, or ridicule me. I was alone, and had to make all
the decisions by myself. Where to turn, how fast do I drive, and where. The
hard stuff, what 8 track to listen to, and at what volume, windows down was
easy. Arm on the window sill like all experienced drivers do. I was styling,
at least in my own mind, but somehow petrified. I had to make all my own
decisions, and suddenly even though I had passed my driving test, and was
licensed, I was alone. Suddenly it was a responsibility, and trying to remember
all I had been told was overwhelming. How could my parents let me out all by
myself? And at home they were wondering the same thing.
It is easy to pick on the disciples for all the things we know now after
reading the New Testament. After all, they aren’t here. But we have all the
parables, stories, words in red of Jesus, and of course the countless teachings
on them. But for them it must have been scary. Almost like driving alone for
the first time. They had Jesus along for 3 years, and never knew when he would
leave them, or vice versa. He was always present, and in times of trouble, even
though they might panic first, they knew he was there to bail them out. But now
they were faced to dealing with life in a society where they were and would be
hunted down and persecuted, and they were scared. Without Jesus present, what
would they do, and where? How? He always knew what to do and say....They had
been given their freedom, and suddenly freedom didn’t seem so free. The right
front seat was vacant now, and they would have to work out things for
themselves.
We are told we are to work out our salvation daily, not to keep it, it
cannot be lost, but to hone it. Like our driving skills, if we don’t use them
we get rusty. But how to be guided? By the spirit whom Jesus left to guide
them until his return. Which they didn’t know when or how he would, and
sometimes doubted he would. But guided by his spirit , they accomplished many
things in his absence that they could not have done when he was with them. They
now had faith to fall back on, and then obedience. And trust as they grew in
the spirit. They had to find solutions to everyday problems, just like we do,
and we too have the spirit to guide us. So why do we worry so much? Do we
treat life like a driver’s test, that we must pass everyday? Following the
rules and hoping we pass? Is it about Bible studies to be approved? Or extra
prayer time to be ready? A regular church attendance, doe sit help? Yes,
yes,and yes. But no, no, and no without the spirit to guide us. For without
spiritual guidance, we might be saved, but we are lost. We don’t know where to
go or where to begin, only the spirit can give that to us. And if we try it on
our own, we run the risk of failing. And embarrassment, ridicule, and of
starting over. Or riding with your mother.
But Paul admonishes us to think, to follow what the spirit has laid on our
hearts and to apply it to life. We have the expectation that God is with us,
and we will know what to do. And in doing so we will be doing his good will,
and following the plan he has for our lives. But every day is different, just
as every test is. And we don’t know what lies ahead, but for the warning that
the devil is waiting to destroy us. To reek havoc on us. So many worry more
about him than they do in loving Jesus. Some even using the excuse of how he
persecuted them, or misled them. Giving more credit to him than the only one
who can save you from him and hell. It takes the spirit of God to guide and
protect us. Who guides your decisions?
Years ago I would use the Gideon test to make decisions. Dry fleece on wet
ground, then vice versa, my own variation on a scriptural theme. Until one day
God asked me “why don’t you stop throwing fleeces and just trust me?” And when
I did, I found the peace and assurance I had been looking for in the fleeces.
They came alive in the spirit, and I knew everything I needed had always been
there, in the spirit. And I could relate to Peter when the spirit came upon him
on the day of Pentecost. How they were confident, if not brave in the spirit.
And would go from hiding in the upper room, to taking the love of the gospel to
the streets. Where both the action and the danger were. Still hiding in your
upper room? It may be a church, or study, or being part of a fellowship. Step
out of your fear today and into the spirit. You passed the test, you are saved,
now start living like it. Confident that even when you screw up, the mercy of
God will forgive and put you back on track. We have Jesus in us, and if he can
save, he also can guide. We are not called to be religious robots, but have a
freedom in the spirit. Knowing that God is at work in us, still perfecting the
imperfections we carry, and through them our testimony is valid. God is
perfect, our reactions won’t always be. Today you will be tested, and someone
other than God is always watching, to how you react. Both hands at 2 and 10, or
wrapped around the neck of Jesus?
God knows what lies ahead, how and where, and why. His spirit will guide
and provide what we need, our choice. Just because you pass your driving test
does not mean you know how to drive. Look around at the numerous examples.
Just because you are saved doesn’t assure you of no problems. Experience the
spirit today, maybe for the first time. New or old saint, 20 years or 20
minutes saved, we all still need Jesus. Working out our salvation, our
solutions to every problem that comes along, but never alone. Just like the
apostles did. Maybe the more things change, the more they stay the same. Jesus
never changes, nor his spirit. We need to change. Check your mirrors before
you do, you never know who is behind you. But look ahead, maybe that is why the
windshield is so big, the mirror so small. We have more to look forward to in
Christ than we leave behind. A question not found on any DMV driver’s test.
One you must figure out for yourself. God is at work, so you can be at play.
Going it alone, the scariest thing you can ever do. So why walk alone when you
can ride with Jesus?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com