Thankful for Grace

Speeding tickets and warnings . . . from God

Last night I was in my usual rush. I so easily rationalize my haste: Hey, I'm a pastor doing God's work. It's OK to speed a little. I have a lot to do! 

Wednesday night is Celebrate Recovery and I was teaching a lesson on false beliefs. But I also had to go to a neighboring town to pick up a newbie trying to get off crack. 

Traveling down the main street toward the end of town, I heard God say, "Trust me." I knew what he meant. I needed to slow down my pace. Not be in such a rush. And, of course, slow down my car.

 But the lights were green and I wanted to get through them all before they went red. Made it! Up the long bridge and over the Beaver River I went, just in time to ease through another green light into the town of New Brighton. I knew I was making great time . . . until I saw lights of a different color right behind me. RATS!

I pulled over, rolled down the window, reached for my wallet and license, and then winced when I heard the words, "Oh, hello, Pastor! Do you know why I stopped you?"

Yep, it was Chief of Police Johnson. I was doing 43 in a 25. I received no special treatment for being a pastor. It was "click it or ticket" night, so I just got a warning for the speed. But I asked him where he had been parked. Sure enough, if I had slowed down when I heard God speak, I wouldn't have been stopped. AND I would have been on time to pick up the addict!

SO THIS MORNING I meditated on a verse that has been used of God in my life before: Psalm 32:8,9 (NRSV): 

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.

Hadn't intended to make this into a sexual temptation devotional, but it actually is. Psalm 32 is tied to the Bathsheba fiasco. The prophet Nathan had “arrested” David’s denial with a stern warning. His heart immediately broke in repentance.

This psalm begins with the joy that follows confession and forgiveness. Then after David spills this out before God in vs. 1-7, God breaks through with this message to stay close. Perhaps it was a warning ticket for David as he sped through life. He needed to watch where his eyes wandered. Needed to lean on God’s leading and guidance. He simply needed to shed his mulish pride and remain close.

So too with us. He will guide us if we stay close. By staying close, he will guide us so that we can avoid traps: temptation to sin sexually. Or maybe even a speed trap!

After many years, I'm still learning to listen carefully to God. Probably we will all be learning to walk closely till we reach the grave. But I believe I'm clinging more closely today than I was years ago.  

Thankful for your faithful readership. Have a blessed holiday!