We have all been there. Rushing, in a hurry, late, late, late. Trying to beat the speed of light to get where we need to be on time. And then it happens.
Traffic jam, the slowest driver in the world, an 18-wheeler blocking the road with no way to pass for at least the next 5 miles. And inevitably you are late.
Road rage begins to set in. Some of you may be able to relate. This morning I was driving to work on the highway. And yes, I was running late as always.
A man in front of me was weaving in and out from in between the cars when everyone came to a quick stop. That’s pretty normal for 7 a.m. traffic coming into the city.
Well, he throws up his hands, takes off his hat, throws it onto the floorboard, and then not so politely gives the man in front of him a one-finger salute. This goes on and on as the traffic crawls along, going and stopping.
The poor man is now screaming and yelling, beating his hands on his head, and using more non-verbal gestures, and he is still stuck in 4 lanes of traffic.
By this point, I am almost laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. But deep down I know it’s not a funny thing. It’s sad.
Our adversary, the devil is an expert at baiting our temperament with daily annoyances. He is an expert at taking every moment that we have and occupying it with anything and everything except the things of God.
I remember watching a movie called "War Room." It was an excellent film about the power of prayer and how we need to make time to get alone with God. Well, a lot of the time the most quiet and secluded place is in my car!
Never mind the traffic, never mind being late, never mind not being able to pick up a decent radio station. Those are the times when I'm having a talk with the Lord. He is in my passenger seat. He is always present.
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst. A victorious warrior. He will exalt over you with joy. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with shouts of love.”
I sure wish that the man this morning knew that verse.
I pray that the Lord will press upon our hearts and minds the truth of his word. I pray that each of us may realize that even in the most pressed moments of our day we can commune with the Lord, and if we are focused and quiet, we will hear him speak.
So, bring on the rush hour, bumper-to-bumper traffic. It just gives me more time to talk with Jesus!
