That You May Be Sons

Back in May I was caught speeding on my commute to work, and received a ticket.

There were extenuating circumstances: I had been driving in the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane for several miles, being tailgated by a silver SUV (the HOV lane there has barriers on either side, prohibiting passing). Though traffic was moving at 75 (10 MPH above the speed limit, but normal for that time of the morning), apparently the driver behind me thought I should go faster.

Those who know me, understand that there is no driving offense that can raise my blood pressure like being tailgated, so I was vexed.

As soon as the HOV lane ended, I started looking for a spot to move to the right, but there was none. In a fit of pique, I accelerated briefly (apparently to 82 MPH) to get into an opening and relieve my stress. To my dismay, that's when the officer's radar gun was trained on my vehicle.

Since the fine for going more than 15 MPH over the speed limit is considerably higher, and because I felt I was not completely at fault, I chose to go to court.

My day in court finally came September 1st, and, to "cut to the chase", I was given 90 days probation instead of a $225 fine and a ticket on my record. The fact that I had to pay $190 in court costs took a little luster off my "victory".

Where am I going with this? Well, this past week it happened again. Not to me, however, but to the tailgater. In the very same spot, I was being tailgated by a silver SUV (no, not the same one). Knowing I will pay dearly if I receive another citation within the next 90 days, I was only doing 70 this time (if you drive the speed limit, you're a hazard in the morning rush), and when I reached the end 0f the HOV lane, I waited to find an opening to the right, this time without much difficulty.

As the tailgater blew passed me, I remarked out loud, "Don't mess with the City of Allen.", but she ignored my warning. As if on cue, a police cruiser entered the highway from the shoulder, moved over behind her, and turned on his lights, all as I watched from "the front row". Retribution! Right?

I must admit that I had a certain feeling of gratification at first, but that was quickly replaced by guilt. I knew I should not rejoice in anothers calamity. "Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice", there it is in Proverbs 24:17.

I suppose it would be okay to feel a little pleasure in the fact that justice was triumphing, after all, she was guilty of a crime. However, to be consistent then, I would have had to have felt the same way when I got my ticket, and I did not.

So what is it in us that brings elation when an enemy falls? Her punishment (assuming she got a ticket also), will in no way reduce my own, so why should I feel better? Is it because misery loves company? If that's the real reason I feel better, than I am miserable indeed.

No, I believe it's that ungodly part of us, our flesh, that rejoices when another suffers, even if they "had it coming". When Jesus disciples asked him if they should call down fire from heaven to consume their adversaries, Jesus answered, "You don't know what spirit you are of." And as children of God, we cannot let that spirit have control.

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:44,45)

This Spirit, the one that does good to enemy and friend, is the one that we want ruling us. He is the one who must be ruling us if we are to be sons (or daughters) of God.

Changing Your Perspective

As I begin typing, I can feel that the skin of my fingers is still wrinkled from the hot dishwater. Yes, I have dishpan hands. From washing dishes. All by myself!

As I began to wash them, I took in the view that I so seldom see. Standing in front of our stainless steel, double sink, a pile of dishes to my left, and an empty dish rack to my right, I gazed out the kitchen window at the falling rain. As if on cue, a black-chinned hummingbird alighted on the feeder, pausing long enough to allow me to examine it's iridescent colors. What a privilege to be standing at that place, at that moment.

As my hands worked with the bubbles to separate the dished from the yuck, I realized I was standing on a desk. No, not literally. I remembered the movie The Dead Poet's Society where professor John Keating takes his students through an exercise of standing on a desk to gain a new perspective on life. At that moment in time, to the best of my ability, I was seeing the world from my wife's perspective. For the first time in a long time, I was seeing what she sees on a daily basis.

I decided that I was going to make the best of this opportunity. As I worked, I decided to take in every sound, every smell, every sense of what she considers normal.

I could hear the children NOT doing their schoolwork. I dried my hands repeatedly to answer the phone and computer chats, and attend to the children's needs. And I perspired! The heat from the water caused me to soak my shirt every bit as much as I did yesterday while doing the "manly" task of rotating the tires on my car.

I also enjoyed the blessing of looking out on God's creation and hearing Him speak to me through it. I had time (probably twice as much as my wife usually does) to meditate and reflect on and sort through the thoughts of my heart.

And, perhaps the best blessing of all, my appreciation and love for my wife grew. What I was able to accomplish once (find gratification in doing a menial task out of love for another), she does on a daily basis, not only in the dishes, but in all the duties of making our home a home.

So much of our lives become routine, and when we fall into the rut of routine, our lives become ordinary. To prevent this, we must choose to alter our routine. To live extraordinary lives, we must purposely change our position in order to see things in a different light. What is revealed in doing so may startle us.

You may be wondering: Where was my wife while I was doing her job (I'll probably catch grief for that!)? She was visiting and blessing our daughter who had requested her company. And what did she do while she was there? She washed her dishes...while standing on a desk.

I also decided to watch The Dead Poet's Society again. What a wonderful film, with such a powerful message. Each of us has a voice, and we must find it before it is too late. But that's for another post.

Sown in Weakness, Raised in Power

I saw the signs, while zipping down my interstate, saying, "Construction Zone Ahead", but I was unaware of how rough the road was going to get, nor how long my journey might be delayed.

With the recent passing of my father and several friends during this short period of time, God has asked me to spend some time contemplating eternity, slowing me long enough to, allow the truth to settle deep into my heart.

This past week the time of sojourn for my friend, Barry Johnson, ended. Barry had fought hard to survive melanoma, but finally succumbed to his illness. Watching this battle from a distance, an important truth has become crystal clear.

With all illnesses (like cancer) that claim the life of their victims over time, the eventual death is often described as "losing the battle". And this is true. For those who conquer such a disease, there is a rightful feeling of victory. Also, for those whose battle ends in death, there is an appropriate sense of defeat.

But, as Barry's days on Earth drew to a close, God reminded me that his battle was not with the cancer. Indeed, though we try to hold off death as long as possible, none of us can expect to "win" this battle. We are all mortal, and therefore our bodies will all perish.

But the good news is: This is not the end! Barry, as his life here and the voice of many witnesses testify, HAS triumphed over cancer! And not cancer only, but over death itself. He is in a place where there is no more sickness, and is alive forever more. Barry's body was "sown in weakness", but has been "raised in power".

Whatever we may face in this life, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." There is only one victory - faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and there is only one defeat - unbelief.

This is the truth that God has been teaching me these past months, and I am ready to resume my journey, whether the road be rough or smooth. Lord, "I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief."


1 Corinthians 15:43
Ephesians 6:12
Mark 9:24