|
| Traffic, Zippers, and the Kingdom... |
|
| |
Everyone has been posting such great insights that I almost feel bad for writing this post. Almost. But sometimes I get a thought that just won't go away.
At work last week we had a discussion about driving. Some people are still not on speaking terms. So I'm looking for the Kingdom perspective.
The debate was about how to properly merge when approaching a construction zone. It seems that there are three possibilities:
1. Merge as early as possible to keep traffic moving smoothly.
2. Merge as late as possible to keep traffic moving quickly ("It should work like a zipper").
3. It doesn't matter, traffic will always be tied up entering construction.
Nobody seems to hold opinion 3. That leaves the zipper people and the non-zipper people. And each was vehemently opposed to the other point of view. Members of the other group were not only the cause of the traffic tie-ups around construction zones, but also the cause of higher gas prices, the weak dollar, and the poor housing market.
From the geek perspective, I don't think #2 works. A zipper has very precisely spaced teeth and a slider to force them to fit together in just the right way. Traffic is almost never precisely spaced and instead of a slider it has... Us. The drivers. And we are usually too busy yelling at one another and pointing out each other's flaws (sometimes using a primitive form of sign language) to really pay attention to our driving.
But the geek perspective simply isn't good enough for me anymore. What is the Kingdom perspective? Are any of these options clearly in the kingdom of darkness or the kingdom of light?
Bonus points to anyone who can back up their reasoning with scripture. Extra bonus points if you can find a deeper spiritual issue in this.
-- matt
|
|
| To add a comment to "Traffic, Zippers, and the Kingdom..." |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| August 09, 2007 |
 |
|
|
Well...I am always an option #2 driver. I would rather get over early than try to wedge my way in late. Scripture??? How many bonus points do I get if its out of context???
See, the Bible says that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. If I merge early, then I have so many opportunities to be last because I'm in the position to let all of the last-minute drivers in ahead of me. Go ahead...cut me off, honk madly and assume that you're entitled to be in front of my car! It's just one more jewel in my crown, buddy and in eternity...I'll be cuttin' you off! heh heh
(disclaimer...attention RFC...your worship leader and children's director doesn't really believe this.) |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
Mark 2:3-5 seems to suggest #2. Have faith that you will be able to force your way in - except it's more like a button than a zipper.
The thing I like about situations like this, and driving in general, is that it helps me to see how attached I am to my own kingdom - the kingdom of Mr. Bill's personal space! |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
| I think, clearly, that scripture supports merging as soon as possible. |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Merge as early as possible. it is really unarguable. |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Well, there you go again. |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Deuteronomy 27:18 - "Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!" |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
| i must say that i am a merge as early as i see the construction person, but that would constitute that i actually see the construction... which then simply merging before i hit the construction becomes really my biggest concern..... and i'll have to get back to you on the scripture that says "keep your eyes on the road buddy"... but i would say that my excuse for not seeing the construction would be colossians 3:2 my mind was set on things above and not on earthly things... but maybe thats not exactly the best use of it... |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
Creating a "this is the most Biblically Correct" answer for something the Bible doesn't give practical direction on isn't really profitable. I'm not sure the Bible has much to comment on traffic strategy. The Bible has a lot to say about how to treat other people, though. Other people are going to do whatever they want. I don't want to waste my time or effort sitting in traffic thinking "In my Biblically based opinion, that driver over there is offending God by merging right now, instead of waiting." It's much more constructive to ask God "Lord, I'm not being gracious in my heart to that driver. Please help me have an attitude toward that driver that reflects Your heart." Romans 12:18 is pretty clear about this: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." I have to admit I find these sorts of questions annoying. The Bible really makes it clear in Romans 13:8 "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." I realize there are loving ways to drive and unloving ways to drive. I also know that what seems unloving from one perspective is very loving from another - and both perspectives can be valid. I think I have enough to worry about with just applying God's truth to my heart, without trying to figure out if other people are driving Biblically. When it comes to driving, I tend to merge early, since it helps the most people in my view so I'm a #2 towards myself. In grace, though, I have to accept #3 toward others. God didn't put me here to fix or judge them, but to show them love and grace (John 3:17). |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
| i think it is profitable to wonder what one should do in a certain situation (for instance,let' s say... merging in traffic) based on biblical principles and what i know of God's character. i especially find it profitable to reflect on my own attitudes and actions based on that criteria. scripture does not address merging in traffic directly,however, it does directly address preferring others above your own interests.
matt, thanks for the post. i find it very interesting. |
|
|
| August 10, 2007 |
|
|
|
The diversity of God's kids is always intriguing to me. What is annoying to some is completely endearing to others. I love the beauty of a heart that searches for God's righteousness in any situation, whether big or small. I believe it pleases Him when we take the time to seek His thoughts on something, even as seemingly pointless as how we should drive. God's mind is so incredibly fun that I bet He has thoughts on anything we would ask Him. I read a cool quote by Bill Johnson in his book, "Dreaming with God" that said, "Jesus is the Word of God. It's hard for Him to not have something to say." He wants to talk to us...why can't we ask Him any question?
Matt, God has put you in your workplace to be an example of Christ to your co-workers. What a great thing that you are seeking Him on things that matter to them so that you will have ready a Godly answer. |
|
|
| August 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
I wasn't always this way--I had to learn from my husband to "drive defensively." In the distant past, I would have wanted to take the advantage of driving near the final merge point--passing numbers of cars who were acutally ahead of me--and poking my way in. But now it is easy to let others do what I believe is actually unsafe--passing quickly and cutting in the line in the last minute--sticking their car hoods in front of other cars to wedge their way in, messing up the smoother flow of merging early, etc. For me, it is an opportunity to give grace and mercy. I figure whatever motivation puts a person in the "push your way to the front" mode, they need prayer!
I have grown in so many ways of the Lord by being a "merge early" person. I am much more forgiving, less in a hurry, less stressed, more focused, less frustrated, more loving, more content, more trusing in Him, more gracious, more selfless, etc.... God is amazing when we apply His Word to shape and transform us in every situation. I would encourage any "merge late" people to start merging early and see what you can learn about Him. |
|
|
| August 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
| My own opinion is that merging late is an egocentric act that thinks of onself before thinking of others. I can't believe merging late keeps traffic moving quickly. Having driven for years in Chicago I don't see any advantage re. traffic flow to this. But, I have seen people even driving on the shoulder to get past traffic and merge a mile ahead of me. |
|
|
| August 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
| I'm with you matt! #1 seems to be the way to go. A star for you!! |
|
|
| August 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
| I think you should do it late due to I want to give another the opportunity to lay aside their selfishness and allow to enter in. In my unselfishness I want to give people as many chances to bless others (aka ME!) or I will sit and wait to be let in and learn patience (which is a fruit of the spirit!) |
|
|
| August 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
Jeremiah 48:5b anguished cries over the (construction) are heard
James 3:7 See how the farmer waits... to yield |
|
|
| August 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
Okay, I'm awarding Bill the bonus points for best scriptural reference so far. The idea of biblical cries of anguish going up from drivers approaching a construction zone got me laughing. (At the mental picture -- not at Jeremiah 48, which is rather unfunny in context).
Bill, since I din't have much of value to offer as a prize, I'll mix your song first after I get the disc with the tracks from the first recording session. |
|
|
| August 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Jer 5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets....
Amo 5:16 Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas!
It seems that the first verse gives us an admonition torun to and fro in the streets, justifying the "zipper" theology. The second verse speaks to the heart of those who were cut off.......
|
|
|
| August 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Dennis,
the way you took those two verses out of context was beautiful! Nice work...Matt, this man deserves a prize! |
|
|
| August 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Seeking God in cyberspace in the context of lane reduction is a form of e-merging worship. |
|
|
| August 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Wow, Dennis that is the best out of context I have ever heard. It made me laugh, a lot. |
|
|
| August 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
| BILL LONG...you made me smile and laugh when no one else was around! aha ha |
|
|
| August 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Amos 5:16, yep...that was me on my commute into DC... |
|
|
| August 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Nehemiah 4:8 "They all plotted together to come..."
Nehemiah 6:2 "Come, let us meet together..."
Both of these imply the organized fashion of coming together... Zipper Theory again!
Job 2:11 "...they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with [the other drivers] and comfort [the other drivers]"
This verse clearly says we should feel sorry for those who don't do what we do in driving and we should create space to "comfort" the other drivers.
So... zipper then let others in when you feel sorry for them... Notice... there is NO sign of anger.. :D |
|
|
| August 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Wow, Sarah might be the winner, but let me think about this for a moment...agressiveness, with Christian Love and Charity.....remind me of some Sarah's I know.....but still...agressiveness with C L and C...hmmmm......... |
|
|
| August 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
I think both Dennis and Sarah deserve a prize for this. But I'm not sure what form it should take. I do have a red Swingline stapler, but I'm not about to part with that...
Any suggestions? |
|
|
| August 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
| God honored Moses choice for a wife and so should we. |
|
|
| August 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
| And I'm still laughing hysterically about Dennis. |
|
|
| August 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
| Is aggression necessarily wrong? |
|
|
| August 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
You know as we are trying to live a supernatural life style, maybe we should make like Moses, and when everyone was congested along the Red Sea. When everything is at a stand still, get out of your car and grab your tire iron, stand before the sea of cars, and with tire iron in hand, look toward the heavens and pray to the Lord, and He will send and east wind to blow, and by daybreak the sea of cars that was once before you will be gone, and you will be able to drive onward upon dry ground. Once you reach where you are supposed to be, face the direction from which you came, and watch all the vehicals left get stuck in the mud unable to move and a Red Sea of something will come crashing down upon them, eliminating anyway of going back from which you came, unless you take the long way around, but you don't want to be doing that because you are on your way to the Promise Land. Or something like that.
On a more serious note, I like to jump lanes as soon as I know which lane is going to be closed, makes it easier to get a spot. |
|
|
| August 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
| ok so Dennis' and Sarah's are very Funny...but i gotta say I'm really liking Mikes... it could be called the parting of the Red "Sebring"... |
|
|
Follow this blog
