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.