Felt That

Happy at a Standstill I took segment one of driver’s training in my ninth-grade year and absolutely hated it. In my opinion, the best aspect of driving is usually what most people despise—the stoplight. That glorious red, shining light means I don’t have to worry about merging traffic, speed limits, or angry drivers for one blessed moment. I am perfectly happy sitting at a standstill. That way I get to look like I know what I am doing without actually doing anything. It’s like a cheat for driving (if you ignore the fact that you still aren’t going anywhere, that is). Driving is a great parallel to the Christian walk. You could probably take any part of a car and turn it into a metaphor for Christianity. But for me, the message that sticks out most clearly is a simple, two-word, declarative statement: “Cars go.” That’s it—cars go. A car is not created to sit there and look pretty, and neither are we. Often, when people first accept the Lord as Savior, there is a beautiful fire for the Lord that burns radiantly and illuminates His presence. Unfortunately, as time goes on, the fire seems to fade. For some, their passion is reduced to but an ember. Their fire for the Lord, their burning passion to go, is gone. Instead, they live their lives as cars in neutral: avoiding obstacles and dangers by neither moving forward nor backward. It’s safe that way, not pressing the gas. Personally, I don’t want to take part in anything that has the potential to disappoint me. I don’t want to put myself into vulnerable positions because I know I have been hurt before and could easily be hurt again. This is exactly how some people view their spiritual lives. They are perfectly content sitting still, protected from the potential dangers of disappointment. If you aren’t driving, you can’t crash. However, we cannot live life in park. It just cannot happen. If you never go anywhere, you are never going to get where you want to be. Sometimes, the basics truths are the most important. In order to progress in our spiritual lives and relationship with the Lord, we must actively move in our faith. If we do nothing about our spiritual state, we are never going to change. We have to go in order to get somewhere. We need to reignite that burning passion we once felt and run with it. We need to have an overwhelming desire to go again. No more parking or neutral gear. Start running. Don’t look back. Don’t slow down. God will be right by your side, helping you along your journey. All you need to do is make the decision to switch that gear and go. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. —Revelation 3:15–16 (English Standard Version) I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. —Psalm 119:30 (ESV) Personal Reflection Questions • What is a story from your life that is similar to the story shared above? How did it make you feel? How did you react to it? • When was the last time you were stuck in a spiritual neutral? What did you do to get out of it? • What could you do on a daily basis to make sure you are pressing the gas pedal in your spiritual life? • Whom do you have around you to help you stay focused on your growth? If you don’t have someone helping you, who could you reach out to (such as family, friends, or pastors)? • What is your trigger to park? What stops your momentum? Why? What can you do to avoid this? • What are some things you have learned about yourself and your relationship with God through this story? How can you use this information to help you grow in your faith?