I’m sure everyone is looking forward to the completion of the Highway 75 project in Luverne. Actually it’s been kind of fun this past week not having any lane markings. Without the lane markings a person can have the freedom to drive wherever they want.
For example, one afternoon I was in a hurry and I was following a slower car and so I decided to pass it. So I moved way to the left side into the lane of oncoming traffic and stepped on the gas; boy you should’ve seen the look on that guy’s face in the oncoming car as I was coming right at him. He must’ve been impressed with my driving because he waved at me with one of his fingers indicating I was number one.
And then on another occasion, since there are no markings, I thought I would use my freedom to pretend like I was driving in the new three-lane configuration and so I decide to drive real slow right in the middle of the two right lanes. Well, it didn’t take long and traffic was getting backed up behind me and they started honking their horns; I could actually hear some guy yelling at me to move over. I thought to myself, hey buddy you better get used to it, this is the way it’s going to be once they paint the new lines. J
As I was reflecting on the fun and freedom I’ve been enjoying without the lane markings, I realized not everyone was having as much fun as I was, especially the guy I almost ran in to. I began to wonder, is freedom really being able to do whatever you want whenever you want, regardless of how it may affect someone else.
I began to reflect on the wisdom of Psalm 119:29-32. In this portion of scripture the Psalmist is reflecting on his need for guidance through life. He writes, 29“Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law. 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”
According to these verses, true freedom is not doing whatever we want, whenever we want; true freedom is when we stay within the boundaries of God’s will. May it not be so with us that we would hurt someone else by abusing our freedom. (Oh and by the way, I just made up my examples).
And then one more observation from the highway 75 project that relates to our spiritual life. I’m sure you’ve noticed that the true renovation of the south half of 75 has been a long sloooooooow process. To replace the culverts, the water lines, the sidewalks and the road surface was deeply invasive. On the other hand, it took only a few days to patch the cracks and seal-coat the north half. And while it may look nice, it’s still really bumpy.
It prompted me to think about the difference of Adam and Eve and David. When Adam and Eve realize the brokenness of their sin, they ran and hid and covered up with some leaves—it was a quick, ineffective, cover up. On the other hand, when David realized how corrupt his heart had become with Bathsheba, he asked God to do deep invasive work in his heart. “Search me, O God and know my heart…See if there is any offensive way in me…” (Psalm 139). “Create in me a pure heart, O God…” (Psalm 51).
When it comes to conviction of sin, may it not be so with us that we would settle for a quick patch job, but that we would always allow the Spirit to do the deep invasive renovation of the heart.
Mike Altena