Headlights in the Rearview Mirror

Hmmm, those headlights are closing fast…

A few nights ago, we were enjoying a quiet ride home from a basketball game when I noticed a car coming quickly from behind, but I didn’t give it much thought since we were at the “corner” and about to turn north.

So, in accordance with Kansas law and well in advance of my turn, I flipped on the turn signal. And, instantly the headlights behind were joined by the blue, white and red lights of a Kansas Highway Patrol cruiser.  

He was pulling me over!  

The officer’s first words were, “I stopped you tonight because your tail-light is broken. Did you know it was out?”

It’s amazing how quickly the mind works, for in the brief moment between question and answer I processed a couple of possible responses. The first was to offer a subtle gasp and then in feigned surprise laced with mock concern say, “What??? You’ve gotta be kidding me!?!?”   

The other response that came to mind was to tell the truth - the tail-light had been broken for some time. Red tape covered the hole for awhile, but it fell off months ago.

Which response did I choose?  “Officer, I can’t lie to you. I knew it was broken. I just haven’t gotten it fixed yet.”  To that admission he said, “Well, I’m only going to write you a warning tonight, but you need to get it fixed.”   Whatever you say officer!!!

When all was said and done I felt pretty good – in part because I didn’t get a ticket, but primarily because I didn’t give the first response. Beyond the obvious sin (lie), what message would I have sent to my daughter sitting in the backseat?

Po Bronson, in an article in the New York magazine, said not long ago, “Kids lie early, often, and for all sorts of reasons—to avoid punishment, to bond with friends, to gain a sense of control. But now there’s a singular theory for one way this habit develops: They are just copying their parents.”  Do you think?  

What can we do about our children’s lying?  How about trying not to lie - give them a better example to follow. What can we do about their gossiping?  Don’t gossip - give them a better example. What can we do about laziness?  Don’t sit around. How can we encourage them into a deeper relationship with Jesus?  Don’t coast when it comes to Christ - give them a better example.

Scripture is filled with encouragement for parents regarding their responsibility as teacher to their children.       Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Deut. 6:5-7a (NIV)

What, you have no children or grandchildren to “impress” your faith upon?  No worries, we have a world full of people we are responsible to “impress” upon.  Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world. 1 Peter 2:12 (NLT)

In ways far more scrutinizing then a trooper’s probing flashlight, people watch and examine our lives. They watch to see how we respond to challenges and temptations. They observe our faith in action and draw conclusions that will guide their own response and relationship with God.  

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… Eph. 4:15-16 (NIV)

From the side of the highway,

Ron

Disclaimer: This article was written under the mild protest of my wife. She’s kind of embarrassed about her delinquent husband. ☺

Looking for Lost

Every time I need a tool it turns into a hunting expedition…

The other day I was rooting around for some rope when I noticed the sheath for my “souvenir” machete sitting in the corner of the garage, but the machete was nowhere to be found. Now, if there was a fire and I only had time to grab one thing from the garage it would be the machete, after all, it is a special reminder of a mission trip to Brazil.

A sheath and no machete? The hunt was on.  I tore that corner of the garage apart. No machete. I went through the rest of the garage. No machete. Where is my machete!?!?!!    

If  time hadn’t been a factor I would have searched until the machete was back safely in its sheath, but Sunday’s sermon lay half written on my computer back at the office. So, I begrudgingly I headed back to work, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the last time I had used that machete.

I recalled using it to hack away at underbrush which was keeping me from my favorite fishing hole. And in my minds eye, as I retraced my steps, I could “see” my machete still leaning up against a tree a few feet away from the bank.

So, I determined to leave work a few minutes early, head to the pond, kick away the snow, and find my “prized” machete. But there was one problem with my plan – I didn’t get away early and it was dark when I got home. Actually, my plan had a second problem – the fishing hole wasn’t the last place I used the machete.

I had also used it in the fall to clear away some weeds and brush in the backyard. Fortunately I remembered this before tromping around a dark fishing hole in a futile attempt to find my poor long lost machete.

So, armed with a flash light, I headed into the wilderness that is my backyard. After a few minutes of searching – eureka!!!

At this point my story could take several turns – there are multiple “morals to the story” I could share. But one thought continued to cross my mind that day as I thought about my missing souvenir: My machete, a reminder of a special time and place, was missing and I didn’t even realize it was lost. How sad…

Jesus once told a parable about a lost sheep. "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'   Luke 15:4-6

I was clueless about the plight of my machete as it lay rusting for weeks on end in our backyard.  I’m so thankful that God is not this inattentive when it comes to the plight of man. He has always been aware of our lost state – and love compelled Him to do something about it. He sent His one and only Son ‘to seek and to save what was lost.’

As a part of this mission, Jesus sent His disciples out to “find” the ‘lost sheep of Israel’ and He tasked us with continuing His mission to a lost and hurting world. But I wonder, are we aware of lost and hurting friends, family, and neighbors? Or are they like my machete – lost and hurting and no one realizes or worse yet cares?   

Pause here for a second a give it some thought…

Do we go about our daily lives, unaware that those precious to God – who should be precious to us too – are hurting and lost?  Do we share God’s compassion for them? Do we share His interest in them?  Do we spend any time looking for them?

I certainly can do better – how about you?

Ron

Diamonds

It sparkles like diamonds…

When the morning sun hits ice covered branches the entire tree looks as if it were coated with thousands of diamonds. Of course there is another side to an ice storm. From my office I have great view of the Chinese Elm trees behind the church. And sunlight is making their branches sparkle like diamonds – even if they are lying on the ground.

Branches weighed down with ice, break free and fall indiscriminately; not caring if they bring down other branches, take out power lines, break windshields, or collapse roofs. Days after the storm the clean-up continues. Communities set up and man emergency shelters. City crews work diligently to the clear streets. And utility workers work tirelessly to restore power and phone service.

Recently a representative from Westar Energy was interviewed by a local TV station. He shared a little about the efforts of the company to restore power and in so doing said something that got me thinking.  He said, “Everyone relies on electrical power.”

There’s something about sitting in a cold and dark house that makes you understand the truth of his statement.  So much of our daily existence – our homes, schools, churches, farms, and businesses are powered by electricity and things grind to a halt when the power supply is cut off.

Now you would think our dependence upon such a vital source of power would cause us to treat it with continual respect and great appreciation. After all something so important should be admired, cherished, and celebrated, shouldn’t it?

Do you think about electricity when day after day it surges through the power lines?  Do you celebrate when you flip a switch and a light comes on?  The truth for most of us is – it is the absence of electricity that causes us to notice electricity.

There is another Power that too often goes unnoticed, unappreciated, and uncelebrated. A Power that is more susceptible to being overlooked because an “interruption in service” never happens. Yet we owe our very existence to this Power. And daily, whether we realize it or not, we rely on It to continue caring for Its creation, of which we are a part.

So, when you gaze at the diamonds sparkling in the downed limbs surrounding you, and you wonder if “power” will ever be restored – lift your praises to faithful One who has promised to never leave you.  And when the debris is cleared, “power” restored, and your life is back to normal – remember to rely upon and celebrate the Power of powers.   No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not revere you, O King of the nations?  This is your due.  Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.  Jeremiah 10:6-7 (NIV)

In the Light,

Ron