Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Do I Drive or Do I Motor?

My great epiphany for this thought, really isn't MY thought at all. I have borrowed it from a dear friend of mine. In fact he is more than a friend, he is in every way that counts (except biological) my brother. This thought is found on page 109 of a book that my "brother" Gary Taylor wrote titled "For Those Who Thirst: A Parched Worshipper's Journey". If when you read this thought you find that you would like to read more of what Gary has written, I think he has a few copies of the book left. Just get in touch with me and I can try to get you a copy. Anyway, this thought is titled "Do I Drive or Do I Motor"

" I'm intrigued and challenged by the difference between "driving" and "motoring" I never gave it a second thought until I began what I now believe to be motoring in my Mini.
I must be honest and say that the marketing folks for Mini know exactly how to grab the attention of a guy who changes vehicles every couple of years. In one of the Mini Cooper promotional pieces, the marketing geniuses explain that driving gets you from point A to point B. On the other hand, motoring is the drive from A to Z. The stopping point is not the goal.
It is during the experience on the road en route to a destination that one discovers hidden blessings, scenic overlooks, and visual treasures off the beaten path.
Realizing the difference between driving and motoring shifted the focus of my prayers. I used to pray for God to move me swiftly and efficiently from point A to point B. Not a bad prayer, but I was settling for less than the best.
Now I find myself asking God to allow me to partake of the treasures, blessings, and scenic overlooks discovered by those willing to motor by faith. It only makes sense that the God Who described Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the A and Z, would want me to choose the road named after Him.
Yep, I'm a convert. I once was blind, but not I see. I once was content as a driver, but now I long to live as a motorist.
Did you know that Jesus was an A to Z type of traveler? He modeled a life of dependence on the day-to-day, moment-by-moment guidance of the Holy Spirit who led Him along roads all over the map. That's why even those towns that He was just passing through ended up being the sites of such monumental and noteworthy events.
Driving straight from A to B, from the manger to the cross, just wouldn't have cut it. He was a motorist craving the open road. He recognized than any given moment could be scenic overlook or the sovereign detour of a precious opportunity to make an eternal difference in someone's life.
Open your Bible to Luke 18:31 and begin reading Jesus' motoring logbook. In this verse Jesus informs the disciples that He is going to Jerusalem. But the next several verses are spectacular accounts of motoring through Jericho before arriving at the "destination" in Luke 19:28.
In Luke 18:40 He pulled over at the request of a blind man. In Luke 19:1 He intended to pass through, but He parked at the house of a wee little man.
In Luke 19:11 we read that although Jesus was intent on going to Jerusalem, He felt there was time to drive below the speed limit so those confused travelers could catch up. We don't read that He even saw His greatly anticipated destination of Jerusalem until Luke 19:41.
In this passage, Jesus did what all good motorists do while traveling. he checked His blind spots, kept on the lookout for little children in the street, hit the brakes for lost and wayward travelers, and then joined in the parade.

MAYBE YOU CAN RELATE...

We all have the tendency to ask God for the bottom line. "God, just tell me what your will is for my life and I'll go do it." You just sit with you engine idling at point A, awaiting that sign from God that directs you to point B. But God has so much more planned for you-A life from A to Z.
Could it be that in your drive to the destination you've missed motoring through the blessings of back roads and rest stops? Yeah, Jerusalem-or wherever God has called you to go-will be awesome. But don't overlook the opportunities off the beaten paths of Jericho.
Here's your motorist's tip of the day: Rather than asking God to transplant you safely to your desired destination, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, prompting you to slow down for fellow motorists sharing the road.
Keep a written record of those merging onto the lanes of your life today, journaling the ways in which God moves in their lives through you. Happy Motoring."


My prayer for you as you have read this thought by my "brother" Gary is that you will become a motorist and not just a driver.

By His Grace and For His Glory,

Bro. Chad