Here is my second devotion that I wrote and chose to not read at choir. I hope you like it, too.
EVIL POSSIBLE
I love my new car – really. It is big and comfortable, drives well in snow and rain, and warns me about things like when to change my oil, if I have an overcharged battery, or low windshield washer fluid or open doors. But my personal favorite is “ice possible – drive with care”.
I really laugh at the “ice possible - drive with care” notice because if it is 3 degrees with a wind chill in the negative teens, I think it should say something more decisive. How about, “if there isn’t ice, you aren’t outside” Or just “its cold – there’s ICE. Deal with it.”
However, when it is one of those warm mornings, high 20’s and low 30’s, I tend to forget that there may be ice waiting for me out there. I kind of get lulled because I’m not wearing my warm hat and scarf and I forget the “black ice” on the roads and that the wet sidewalk may be really slick. Those days, the ice possible warning is an eye opener and reminds me that things may not be as safe as they appear.
I think sometimes it is the same in our lives. On Sunday we sit in church and we are surrounded by other Christians and the pastor is telling us of the evil that is out there. He tells us of the mercy of God and the sacrifice of Jesus. He tells us all these things while we sit in the warmth of the church and we feel all touchy feely about God and faith and we can defeat any enemy because we are filled with spirit. EVIL POSSIBLE – DRIVE WITH GOD. It’s a 3 degree message. We came to church knowing that evil was possible. We are getting the message that we are prepared for.
Then Monday arrives. We get out of bed and start our day. We thank God for another day. Maybe we take quiet time in a soft chair or private spot and pray or do devotions. And we see the message – EVIL POSSIBLE – DRIVE WITH GOD. It’s still 3 degrees out. We are getting a message that we are already prepared for. We are receiving the warning for something we know about and are expecting.
So the day starts and the kids are just not cooperating and may miss their ride to school…the traffic is brutal on the way to work…the boss is so upset and who else can he yell at?...spilled coffee on the report that was just printed and now it has to be printed again but that crazy at the next desk is printing a novel about caring for her cat and the printer delay is going to be HOW LONG? There is a skipped lunch and now it’s time to go and what’s really been accomplished today? At home, the kids have projects that are due tomorrow (let’s make a working volcano before bedtime) and there is nothing defrosted for dinner so it’s cereal and mac ‘n cheese, and WHOA!!!
These are the 32 degree moments. This is when the chance to forget the message you know so well is most possible. This is when you need to see EVIL POSSIBLE – DRIVE WITH GOD. This is when you are making choices to see if you have the strength to be patient and tolerant or to be resentful and vindictive. Do you yell at the kids and bully them or start organizing things to smooth out their morning? Do you whine about the other drivers and their habits or listen to soft music or scripture, knowing that you allow plenty of time to get to work so you may as well enjoy it? Do you pass the buck in defense of yourself so the boss backs off or remember that the real guilty person is having a bad time at home and you can talk to them rationally later? Do you feel discouraged when you see your coffee soaked report or laugh because you have a top for your coffee cup that you never use and you knew that one day this would happen. Do you yell at the cat lady or remember she lives alone except for her cat and he is more than just a pet to her? Do you complain about hunger or grab a snack and remember those who are staving? Do you stress over having no time with the kids because you have so much to do, or get everyone making peanut butter sandwiches while you all work on the volcano? And do you start laughing because it can only get better … because you saw the warning sign: EVIL POSSIBLE – DRIVE WITH GOD.
I hear so many people who say that wearing or displaying a cross, having a Bible in sight, listening to Christian music is just a show. But I have a Bible on my desk and at home. I play Christian music when possible. I have devotionals at my favorite chair and I have a cross with a dove round my neck.
I don’t think that I am showing off my faith or putting on a show. I am preparing for the 32 degree moments. I am reminding myself every day: EVIL POSSIBLE – DRIVE WITH GOD.
In the car, at my desk, in my house, I need a reminder that when things are good and safe and I am distracted by life, a touch to my neck, a desire to read while relaxing, looking for a reference folder at work…I see that I have God with me. I am reminded that I am always in the sanctuary ready to hear the word.
I know that MY God is the God who created everything I see, provided everything I have and is the reason for everything I am.
Most important - I am part of a group that remembers: EVIL POSSIBLE – DRIVE WITH GOD.
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