~posted by Jenny
On April 21, 2007, after over a year of my sisters' begs, I got my Driver's Permit. Learning to drive has taught me a whole lot more than just how to drive; in fact, there are many spiritual principles and applications involved! Let me share a few of these lessons with you....
#1. "Where's the brake pedal?"
That was the first question I asked when I got behind the steering wheel. Hey, it's an important thing to know!
When you learn to drive, it is important to ask questions and get wise counsel. We need to be humble and willing to heed instruction.
It is the same way in our spiritual life!
"Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14).
#2. After a few weeks (never mind years!) of driving, it is rather easy to get too confident and casual about it. This is a big mistake! We always need to be on the alert.
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:7).
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).
#3. It is always better to be slow and cautious rather than fast and foolish!
"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19).
#4. I was horrified the first time I was a victim of "road rage." Apparently I was going to slow and the man behind me was rather upset... very upset! But it is important that we follow the law even when others are pressuring us to break it.
Be willing to stand alone and endure ridicule for Christ's sake!
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12).
#5. Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. We need to guard against distraction both within and without the vehicle (i.e., screaming passengers, tempting food, a friend waving to you from the side of the road, etc.).
In the same way, keep your focus on the Savior, Jesus!
"No one engaged in warefare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (II Timothy 2:4).
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
#6. Be patient with speed limits and red lights, even when you are running late.
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." (Proverbs 37:7).
#7. Be calm. Don't panic when trouble comes!
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
#8. Learning to drive is supposed to bring independence. For me, it's only made me feel more dependent on my parents!
It is so important that we never forget our total dependence on Jesus. He is our Soveriegn Lord, and we are His humble children serving for His glory.
"Abide in Me, and I in You. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit: for without me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5).
"A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:7).
