Speed Trap Town

5/12/2021

Written By: David Wheatley

I got another speeding ticket.

I don’t drive a fast car. I’m not trying to race. I just hold the opinion that most speed limits are 10-15 miles lower than they should be. As it turns out, no one cares what I think (and they shouldn’t), and every few years, I earn myself a nice hefty fine.

Allow me to pepper you with my excuses. I was on hour 7 of an 8 hour drive to Virginia. The speed limit for this particular mountain highway was 60mph, and I had the cruise control set to 62mph. All of a sudden, we hit this tiny town in the middle of nowhere, and the speed limit abruptly dropped to 45mph. I didn’t adjust quickly enough. Blue lights flashing.

If you look up “speed trap” online, you should find Pembroke, Virginia. No, I will not appear in court. Like the 2016 Indianapolis Colts, I have no defense. Just take my money.

To begin the most expensive illustration you’ve ever heard, check out Peter’s words to the Church.

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. -2 Peter 3:17-18

Fortunately, my roadway expediency hasn’t had me carried away (yet), but the cost of a violation is undeniable. There’s a financial burden of course, but on top of that, it’s an absolute day ruiner. Regret. Embarrassment. Disappointment. And it all seemed to happen in an instant.

Where, in your life, have you activated cruise control? Your marriage? Parenting? Friendships? Your career? Your faith?

As you travel down the road of life, speed traps aren’t a mere possibility; they’re a guarantee. The speed traps Peter warns about are not some grand calculated decisions to do evil. Nope. It’s much more subtle, much more gradual than that. When we fall, we are lulled into sin because of our lack of resolve, our lack of focus. We’re cruising along in life, and then all of a sudden – boom.

“Be on guard!”, the apostle says. He’s talking to people who love Jesus, and his plea for us is to stay awake to our mission. We must stay vigilant in our responsibilities and protect what God has entrusted to us.

How do we accomplish this? You could really buckle down at home and try to be the best spouse you can be. You could read all the books on parenting and put in extra hours at work and send all your friends a nice text. That’s all noble stuff, but how long will you be able to keep it up?

Peter says the solution is simpler than that – “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The one solution that will give you sustainable resolve in every arena of life is to grow in Christ. When we open the pages of Scripture, when we begin our day in prayer, when we plug in at our church through groups, serving, and giving, we begin to change.

All the effort we make to lean into Him, He uses to grow us, and in turn, this growth begins to permeate all other areas of our life. Over time, we’re more present at home, more dedicated at work, and more compassionate toward our friends. Focus hard on one or two things, and you’ll inevitably hit cruise control on others. Focus hard on developing your relationship with Jesus, and all other things seem to grow with it. It’s just the way it works!

My challenge to you this week is to reject the temptation to hit cruise control. Take a good look around you at all that God has given you. Respond to this gratitude by growing in Him, and just watch how He grows you in every other area of your life. As long as we’re on this journey, my friend, let’s drive in a direction (and a speed) that honors Him. To God be the glory both now and forever. Amen.