Ruts and Roadblocks

I was driving on the highway today and so I decided to set the speed control so that I didn’t have to keep my foot on the gas pedal. I didn’t ask for this feature and I’m still not sure whether I like it or not, but my car has a speed control setting that slows down when other cars slow down. It is a nice feature when I am not paying as close an attention to the road as I should and keeps me a safe distance away. It has a drawback too. If I am on a two lane highway and I want to go at a certain speed for a long period of time, I just set the control. Too often, I am watching the traffic, but not the speedometer, since the speed is set. Problem is, if the car in front is going slower, my car gradually slows down to that speed and I often don’t realize it for miles. If I’m not in a hurry it is no big deal. If I am trying to make time, it becomes very frustrating to slow down without knowing it... especially since I could just pull out in the next lane and pass. We do way too many things out of habit (coasting), not out of service (to God). Our commitment slows down. Our Scripture reading and devotions slow down. Our faith slows down. We begin to follow that “vehicle” ahead of us instead of going around and doing what we were meant to do. That “vehicle” can be worldly desires, complacency, habit (even if they are not bad), others expectations, and the like. They are not always bad, in and of themselves, but they pull us away from doing that which is good. We are blindly following the crowd, but we are failing to focus on our destination as we should. Because we have convinced ourselves that we are heading the right direction, we fail to stay focused on God, His word, and His leading. As the old slang goes, we are stuck in the mud. If we follow that “vehicle” too long, we may not even notice that it has exited the highway and we are still following. We might need to see a roadblock before we realize we are on the wrong road. Don’t expect tomorrow to be like today. Be on your toes, alert for opportunities and aware of the Devils attacks. Surrender your worldly wants and pray that God’s Spirit would direct your way. Make sure you are staying tuned to God, His word, and how God might be calling you. Father, strengthen us in faith and help us to avoid getting caught in ruts and roadblocks. Help us to grow, stay fresh in our faith, and dependant on You. Amen