In our modern time, travel has become somewhat of a luxury! We have nice, padded seats, heating and air conditioning, a music player, and many other accommodations that allow us to travel comfortably to our destination in a fraction of the time it generally took people for thousands of years!
The bad part, however, it that people have become impatient. They honk the horn if you don't move the moment the light turns green. They weave in and out of traffic while maintaining high speeds. And they ignore the rules of regulations set by the department of transportation for their safety.
The Bible speaks of this road rage in Nahum 2:4- The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
While we travel the roads of the country in which we live, we are also taking a trip through life. Road rage can affect us while we are moving through life's journey, too.
To make life a little easier, I'm going to give you a few tips to help you navigate safely.
1) Prepare for your trip.
Too many people like to wait until the last minute to get things packed and ready to go. And in doing so, they often forget things. There are others who like to be spontaneous in their decisions and then find themselves in need of items that they wouldn't have been without had they just planned.
Life takes planning, too. We should plan for large purchases, career choices, children, marriage, retirement, and much more!
Luke 14:28-30- For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
The most important thing you should plan for is your afterlife. Everyone will die. That is a guaranteed fact! Where your soul ends up is a choice that you must make now, before death.
Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You didn't choose your first birth. You didn't choose your parent. You didn't even get to choose what you looked like. It happened to you without your consent. Just like being born a sinful human cursed with the cost of sin- death.
II Timothy 1:8-10- Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
The good news is that the second time around is your choice! You get to choose to accept Christ as your Savior. You get the choice to have His payment applied to your sin debt in heaven. And you, and you alone, get to choose whether you go to heaven or hell after your journey through this life has expired.
I Corinthians 15:1-4- Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
If you don't know how to do this, just believe the gospel that Christ died for your sin proving that He was fully man, was buried, and rose again the third day proving that He was fully God. Believe that His blood shed during His death is the payment required for your soul, and ask Him to apply that payment to your account.
There are people who ask, "Why would a loving God send someone to hell?" But they don't understand that they are already on the way to hell. God made a way for them to go to heaven by getting things right with Him before they die.
2) Maintain your vehicle.
How many times has someone gotten stranded because they didn't properly maintain their vehicle? Bald tires, no oil filter or air filter change, low fluids, and many other things must be continuously monitored and replaced to keep the vehicle operating smoothly.
The same goes with the Christian life. Once we are saved it's not a "now I can do as I please" type of life. We need to read our Bible and pray for daily maintenance. Sometimes we sin, and we need to confess that sin to repair our relationship.
I Peter 2:2- As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
II Timothy 1:11-12- Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
II Peter 3:18- But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Hebrews5:12-14- For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Some people think that they have nothing to lose if they live their life the way want to. After all, their soul's destiny is certain, what is there left to lose? The answer is plenty! You can lose time, peace, health, and more. Repair your relationship learn to grow as a Christian, don't remain a baby.
3) Refuel often.
Running out of gas in not fun! You find yourself stuck, walking while berating yourself, and then feeling foolish hoping the gas station has a gas can you can borrow to fill up so that you can make it there to fill your tank.
Sometimes as Christians, we feel like we are running on empty. Life is hard. Patience wears thin. Troubles seem insurmountable. And then our faith waivers. We need to get back in fellowship with God and His people and get recharged to continue!
Isaiah 40:31- But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Philippians 3:17- Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Hebrews 10:25- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
4) Pay attention to the rules of the road.
How many times have you gotten a ticket because you didn't notice the signs posted? The speed limit changes, or you can't make a u-turn, or perhaps you just didn't feel like staying behind that slow person so you passed when there was a solid line.
Rules are there to keep us safe. God also has rules that He would like Christians to follow so that they might walk a godly path and fight a good warfare. There aren't there to keep us from having fun. On the contrary, they are there to keep us from the consequences of sin!
I Timothy 1:8- But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
II Corinthians 13:7- Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
We are not victims of circumstances. We get to make our own choices. God never forces anyone!
5) Don't allow distractions to make the trip dangerous.
I'm not a statistician, so I have no idea how many wrecks are caused by people focused on something other than the road, but I do know that it's a good percentage of all accidents. Getting your focus off where you are going and onto something else can make your journey rather precarious- you could run off the road, hit a curb or guard rail, or crash.
During this life there will be many things that demand your attention. Some are necessary things like children, some are unnecessary. I have a statement on my bedroom wall that reads "The devil doesn't always tempt with sin; sometimes he distracts us with duties, hinders us with obligations, or allures us with something good to keep us from service to our Lord".
Colossians 2:4- And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
Galatians 5:7- Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
I Corinthians 8:9, 12- But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
The devil works in many different ways and through many different people, even Christians! Don't fall prey to his devices.
6) Take time to refresh yourself.
I know some people who can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. It's a nice quality when you're in your pajamas tucked neatly in bed. It's not desirable when you are behind the wheel!
If you find yourself getting tired, pull over and get some coffee or take a small nap in a well-lighted parking lot! Don't be an unnecessary danger to yourself and others because you don't want to take a small break.
Christians sometimes need to take a step back and refresh their spirits. It could be a furlough from the mission field or ministry, it could be a small revival meeting, it could be a vacation away from all the responsibilities of life. However it comes about, the Lord wants His people to take a moment to breathe!
Mark 6:30-31- And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
II Thessalonians 1:7- And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
Acts 9:31- Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Psalm 37:7- Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
7) Make repairs as needed.
Maintenance is general upkeep. But every now and again, something breaks. This will require repair. Normally you are rather surprised by these events. It's not something like tires that you can see wearing down. It's tucked away where no one notices until it's too late!
Things happen in our lives of which we aren't always fully aware. When the thing comes crashing to our attention or screeches our lives to a halt, we need to be wise enough to take the time to make repairs. Preachers and missionaries are probably the most guilty of ignoring this one! Taking a little time to work on yourself is not a bad thing! Even God rested on the seventh day of creation.
II Kings 12:5- Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.
I Corinthians 9:27- But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Ephesians 4:23- And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
You can't help others if you are too worn out. There is not one verse in the Bible that says you can't take a break; just make sure you don't quit.
8) Expect other drivers to try to run you off the road.
I always get very sad when I hear of fatalities because of aggressive drivers. They think they own the road and can do as they please with no regard for anyone else.
Unfortunately, this isn't limited to the roads. The most opposition many will face on this journey is from other so-called Christians. It's not a new occurrence. Christ was betrayed by his close friend. Paul had those who tried to ruin his ministry. And you, too, will be hurt by those that you should be able to trust the most.
Try not to lay that to God's account. His people fail Him just as much as they fail each other!
II Corinthians 11:13-15- For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Acts 20:29-30- For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Galatians 1:6-7- I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 3:1- O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Not all who profess Christ are Christians. Others are worldly and carnal, and dangerous to hang around.
Even though we know this life will be fraught with troubles, we can rest assured that Christ will fulfill His promises. By taking heed to what He has written in His word we can make the trip a little less hazardous and a lot more peaceful and joyous!
