Changing Lanes

Do you hate change?  Most people do.

No doubt about it, change is uncomfortable.  I’ve noticed most people change things occasionally, some people change things up ALL the time…… then still others rarely make any changes.

Case in point: I drove up to Newton this evening and performed a test.  I set my cruise control at 60mph.  Now realize that on most the route the speed limit was 70mph, so I really caused a stir and disrupted traffic by my grandma-ish driving.

You may wonder why I would do such a crazy thing as drive 10mph under the speed limit when everyone knows you’re supposed to drive 5mph over?

Simple reason:  I’m trying to see how many miles per gallon I can get on this current tank of gasoline.  On the last two tanks I got 22 MPG but on this one I’m hoping to get at least 30.  All I’m doing different is modifying my driving habits.

Continuing with my story…  People were whizzing by me left and right on the highway and giving me hard stares of derision.  I began noticing something interesting though: some cars would pass quickly while others would hesitate for awhile before passing while still others would simply flat out NOT pass. 

One car in particular slowed way down to my speed.  Then it slowed down further so it was far behind me.  Then it sped up until it was right on my bumper, invading my personal space in a way that increased my pulse as I cringed awaiting impact.  The two of us then moseyed down the road quite awhile like that.  Nobody around, just us two.  Me going slower than a seven day itch, and the car behind me RIGHT on my bumper.  But they were the type of person who hates change so much they couldn’t bring themselves to change lanes and just pass me. 

I talked to an older guy recently who told me he and his wife had been going to the same church for the last 30 years.  Then he told me they have been thinking of leaving for the last 10, and in fact realizes now he should have done so 10 years ago.  But he didn’t then because they were so comfortable and didn’t want to change. 

This man told me he felt it was finally time to change.  The complaints he had about his current church I found interesting: He said the curriculum the Seniors were going through in their Sunday School class was pathetically elementary.  At their age he felt they should be going through stuff far more advanced.  What he also felt was quite sad was how his peers didn’t talk about God or their Christian walk before or after services at church, but rather gabbed about sports and weather and other mundane topics.  This man wanted more.

As you look at your own life, think about things that may be holding you back. What cars are you driving behind you should just pass?  What things have you put off changing for a long time?  If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you regret not having done today?

Maybe today is a day we simply need to get our hearts right with the Lord.  Paul said,

I tell you, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Now is the day to change lanes methinks.