No Left Turn

   When I pick Jonathan up from school there is a direct road that leads to the car line where I wait for him. If I go that way, it's just a quick left turn and I'm there. Unfortunately, there's a little matter of a sign there that says, "No Left Turn". Being the rule keeper that I am, I drive around the block so I can turn right onto the same road, and obey the law. As I am sitting in line, I am always amazed at the number of people who turn left illegally. I guess I am not too surprised by some, but the ones that have their big "JESUS" bumper sticker or their Christian fish really get to me. The other day, when I was cut off by someone making an illegal left turn, right in front of me, after I had just spent valuable time and gas to drive around the block, I wanted to punch their lights out (in righteous indignation, of course.) I found myself up on my high horse, disgusted at the infidels all around me. Sounds so Holy, doesn't it? I mean, I fully expected God himself to be waiting at the end of the pick up line to pat me on the back, and give me a wink of approval, while those who have not followed in my perfect example get their just desserts of fire and brimstone raining down on their mobile billboard for God.

   OK, by this time, I either have you laughing, or angry (depending on which car you might have been in), but I'm sure I have gotten a reaction. As a Christian, let me be the first one to say Christians can be so...annoying! No wonder there is a world out there that wants nothing to do with God. Look at his representatives. Sheesh. Don't get me wrong, I think it is right and good to follow rules. I believe obeying laws is something that God expects us to do. Even the so-called "little" rules, like FBI warnings against illegal CD copies, regardless of being "poor folk", or telling 349 of your closest friends "what's on your mind", on company time. (Thank goodness facebook wasn't around when I worked...I am sure I would have succumbed to THAT temptation once or twice!!) But here's the thing. Why do we feel so much pride when we do something right, and condemn others around us who are doing wrong? I mean, I really puffed myself up in that car there for a while, until God decided to burst my little bubble of pride. I guess we forget that all sin is equal in it's ability to separate us from God. Even disobedience. Even pride and self-righteousness. It's no wonder that life's snares and entanglements all boil down to three areas: "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." (1 John 2:16). Lust, more lust and pride.

   When we become Christians, we suddenly become residents of glass houses, and you know what they say..."People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". Think about it...who are the WORST critics of smokers? Ex-Smokers! I know some people who have committed sins, and I'm talking some serious, heinous acts, and they are some of the most critical people, especially of the same exact sin that they once committed themselves. I am very grateful that the Lord has the ability to forgive (1 John 1:9) AND forget (Psalm 103:12) all of our sins when we ask for forgiveness and turn away from that sin. But, I am equally glad that He, in His infinite wisdom, has NOT given us the ability to forget our own sin. Not for the sake of beating ourselves up over and over again, but to always remember from the heights we have fallen, and of the mercy that God has extended to us. The Bible says that the person who has been forgiven much, shows much love. (Luke 7:47)

   I admit that I choose to sit on the judgement throne way too often at times. I am thankful that the Lord is quick to point out to me that I am in the wrong seat, and usually I am quick to respond accordingly. Lord knows some people make it harder to respond than others, but that's all part of how God uses those around us to show us how imperfect our prideful hearts really are. The beauty of all the difficult experiences, the failures and the disappointments is that they clearly points us directly to the cross and our need for a Saviour. It's impossible to walk straight, when we our gaze is everywhere else but on the path that lies ahead. Jesus never called us to be the plumb line for humanity. That's a standard only He can raise. Our place is to represent Him well, and point people to Him.