Speeding…

One of the best things I get to do is drive my oldest daughter to school. It is a real privilege to have that time alone with her. Some mornings are quiet and reflective and others are loud and interactive. Today, happened to be intellectual. I guess it was the Kix cereal she add for breakfast – but whatever the reason – today she was asking deep questions.

The route we drive takes us onto the freeway for a few miles and almost without exception we pass a motorcycle patrolman writing tickets to drivers that are traveling a little too fast. When I see someone pulled over I always wonder about their story.  Were they distracted and didn’t know how fast they were traveling, were they late for work because their five year old spilled her cereal, or are they a driver that just likes to push the limits of the speed limit?

This morning we were following a car that became the target of the radar gun.  When they were signaled to pull over my daughter asked what the speed limit was.  I told her and she looked at my speedometer and then said, “Dad – you’re speeding – slow down or you will get a ticket.”  I told her it was ok and she asked why.  The next ten minutes went by as I rationalized why it was ok for me to speed a little bit but not too much.  About then we passed a freeway sign that read, “Extra patrols on now – slow down or pay up!”

It really caused me to think that a speed limit is a speed limit for a reason.  You are not supposed to travel faster than what is posted.  Much like a sin is a sin.  You are not supposed to do something that God has said for you not to do.  If I am traveling faster than I should (regardless of how little that is) an officer has every right to pull me over and write a ticket.  And if I am living my life and I decide to sin (even just a little – at least that’s how we rationalize it) God has every right to hold us accountable – and believe me He will!

The drive served to convict me that I was rationalizing my breaking of the rules – mainly because I like to drive fast (but not too fast).  As a pastor I hear all the time from students who rationalize their behavior that is going against God’s teaching.  This then leads to lengthy discussions about the black and white of sin.

You see, a sin is a sin no matter what.  God does not grade on a curve!

So how are you traveling through life?  Are you speeding – even just a little…

Until next time…

Pastor Barry