The Passing Lane

The view in the driveway looks normal. On a sunny day the notion to take your faith out for a spin becomes a possibility as you imagine a leisurely outing. Perhaps of necessity you leave the comfort of your current understanding of the American Dream and go to work while others are not affected by that inconvenience. Then again you might just sit at home and watch it all go by wishing you had the ambition to go somewhere in this world. Once spontaneity has had its way one is compelled to head out into the unknown. A destination is imagined and the gears are engaged as the wheels turn in the appropriate direction. The side streets are drudgery at first with the children playing ball in the street, that speed limit thing and those annoying four way stops. Once we clear the city limits, we convince ourselves of better days as we can set the cruise control and crank up the radio. Oh the thrill of the passing white lines as the scenery becomes a blur and we accelerate into our destiny ahead. Life is good, things are great and even though we don’t know where we’re going we can see by the speedometer that we are making good time. If you are suspecting that I’m about to take you for another allegorical ride in the country, well you are right.

Once we have been in the faith for a while we are confident about several things pertaining to the Christian life. In the early days of our initiation into the gospel I would have hoped that we all began with the same agenda. I’m finding that that is not the case. Some of us know all about the terminology of the road trip. We know what a map is but like the Bible, actually using one has become almost obsolete with the invention of the GPS and Map Qwest. Today we can rent a used theology expecting that others have done the servicing and the maintenance. Hitchhiking has been outlawed in most states but it’s not uncommon to see a thumb up on an entrance ramp. A free ride is still available for some. For another a bicycle or city transit will suffice in the early days of our travels with God and we all have had to walk from time to time. But today we look into the life of that Christian who has for many years been with the Lord. In one portion of the scripture it is called the Way. Some claim to have been in the Way for many years. My response is that I would rather they get out of the way and let someone else get by. It is in the passing lane that the proverbial rubber meets the road and so often we encounter it without a second thought.

After all the TLC, the waxing, the conditioning and the planning we find ourselves on that eternal highway, moving along in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord. We find a peaceful stretch and without a soul for miles we enjoy the Lord while the sins in the rearview mirror are getting smaller and smaller. Just when we are oblivious to a possible obstacle, what appears in the road ahead is a convoy of trucks that has taken charge of our carefree route. Things change quickly as the brakes are applied to a once patient attitude and it causes a burnt smell on the last nerve. All of the sudden the white lines aren’t a blur anymore and the scenery returns. It takes a few moments to appreciate what has just happened and we can stay behind this all day freight parade or we can begin to maneuver and accelerate into that passing lane. It looks clear for a mile or so at least and we have a choice of getting on with our travels or we can endure this lesson to its fullest. Your choice and opportunity could change the life of the hitchhiker who is about to come into view.

I was on that Arizona highway and I remember all the trucks and I remember you. You invested your time to take me out of your way; you gave me the gospel and a twenty dollar bill. Because you knew someone who knows where I need to be, and you slowed down long enough to acknowledge my existence, I am able to write about it. I can only wonder where I’d be if you had been in the passing lane.

T. LaVigne