I credit my reckless fearless driving style to being raised in Africa, where it doesn’t matter if the traffic lights happen to be working or not, people just do what they want. One night, shortly after getting my American license, I came to a yellow light. Taking a risk, I sped through it just as it turned red, and whomp whomp, flashing lights appeared in my rearview mirror. The officer came to the window and asked me why I hadn’t stopped. I politely explained to him that if I wasn’t home by eleven, my mom started to get worried and it was already 11:02. He nodded thoughtfully and said, “I understand, but what your mother probably really cares about is that you get home safe.” And then he wrote me a ticket. I was super disappointed, but I knew it was true. My mom would much prefer a few minutes of worry to getting a call from the hospital. As annoying as waiting at a light is, it’s necessary, because the goal of driving is to reach your destination- safely.

While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. -Hebrews 12:10-11

Whenever I try to talk to my coworkers about my personal life, there’s a disconnect. I had a girl I barely know literally yell at me when she found out that my boyfriend and I don’t live together. She was so angry because apparently, we are never going to know if we are compatible and that is the end of the world. By the end of her public outburst, I felt more than a little embarrassed, added to the inner guilt I feel every day when Mike makes a two hour roundtrip to see me. According to God, we’re at a red light until marriage, but all around me others are running that red light with seemingly zero consequences.

The law of the Lord is perfect. It gives us new strength.
The laws of the Lord can be trusted. They make childish people wise.
The rules of the Lord are right.  They give joy to our hearts.
The commands of the Lord shine brightly. They give light to our minds.
The law that brings respect for the Lord is pure. It lasts forever.
The directions the Lord gives are true. All of them are completely right.
I am warned by them. When I obey them, I am greatly rewarded. -Psalms19:7-9,11

Perfect. Can be trusted. Gives joy and light. Pure. True. Completely right. Greatly rewarding. It’s not fun at the time. Trust me, I know. But God’s commands are like traffic lights, helping us to not only get home safe, but to get there in the black.

-lf