Doug Van Pelt

They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Driving

Some people would say that "they'll know we are Christians by the (kind of) cars that we drive." These folks have a point. In today's energy situation, certain gas guzzling cars could be said to be a foolish use of money.

Some might say, "They'll know we are Christians if we drive. These folks have a point, too. Money spent on cars, gas and other 'luxuries' could be spent on helping others much less fortunate. Taking a walk or sporting a bicycle for that commute to work is a way to make a difference in someone else's life -- literally changing the world in a small, but measured way.

Some might say, "They'll know we are Christians by the way that we drive. I was at a 3-way stop sign the other day, which is a 4-way intersection that is about 25 feet from a short incline and two sets of railroad tracks that is also parallel to a highway and traffic light. When that light is red, there is room for two cars between the tracks and the light, and about one car between the 3-way and the tracks (sometimes two). I arrived at the intersection as the last car of a crowd. I didn't have room to make a left turn and get in line for the light, so I stayed at my stop sign, making me the next elligible person to proceed through the intersection when space allowed. Another car approached on my right a few minutes later. When the other intersection cleared, I went to go, and so did this other car. I remembered that yielding and right of way is something we offer -- not exactly a right we exercise. I could have gestured to this other driver and/or honked. I decided a gesture was in order. I politely gave him the shoo-away/go ahead signal, which he gave me at the same time and then he waved a "thanks." I guess he was impatient and felt like he had waited all he was going to wait. Perhaps he didn't realize that I was the first car at the intersection by a long time. Maybe he was thinking that we both arrived at the same time and he was to my right and thus had the right of way. He was wrong, but it was just as easy to let him go and I felt good about being polite and courteous.

It reminded me of how humility is something we give or offer. It's not something we take. We humble ourselves before God and others. It can be said that someone "humbles us," as if they destroy us in a competition or "put us in our place." That might be better stated as "humiliate," rather than humble.

I think most people, if polled, might describe one major characteristic of a Christian (or any "spiritual" or "religious" person, for that matter) as: humble. A devout follower of God is taught to be humble and think of others as more important than yourself.

My driving is often a selfish venture of getting from place to place. I think of getting to where I'm going safely and quickly. I'm glad when I can break out of my narrow, selfish perspective and offer others the right of way or the courtesy of getting out of a parking lot or right turn in front of me. My life isn't dependent upon getting to such and such place, so taking a deep breath, resting, and allowing someone else to get ahead or squeeze into a line is a good thing. Who knows, it might even be a "witness."

[By the way, the familiar verse is something like: "They'll know you are Christians by your love for one another." That speaks to me about how we relate to each other as believers.]

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at June 26, 2008 09:09 AM