Traffic Signals

When I took driver's ed I learned about something called the "point of no return." When approaching an intersection with a green traffic signal, the driver's objective is to identify the point after which--should the light turn yellow--he would have insufficient time to stop the car.

Unfortunately, I have not always been consistent in identifying the aforementioned point (say, for instance, when I'm in a hurry). One particular problem with this is that the prospect of having to sit through a red light often causes me to feel hurried, and I sometimes decide prematurely that I shall continue through the intersection. Needless to say, I'm accelerating as the light turns yellow, and then must accelerate even more to try to make it through the intersection before the light turns red. Hey, I rationalize, coming up to a red light and having to sit through half of it is one thing, but barely missing getting through this green means sitting through a whole red. I don't have time for that.

Yesterday, I finally realized the greatest aspect of such foolishness. It's not merely the poor driving habit; it's the underlying attitude. I don't have time for that--as if I know the best use of my time better than God does. What pride. But much greater is the grace that God gives--to show me my pride and to help me to change.

My Cup Overflows

I was thinking recently about the words of Psalm 23:5. . . "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." With Christ as the foundation of our lives, He fills our cup to overflowing.

It is sobering to see so many people, those who have rejected Christ as their foundation, wasting their lives, desperately seeking fulfillment from the things of this world. But fulfillment can be found only in Christ. He not only fills us, He enables us to be filled, and He fills us to overflowing. Those who live without Christ spend their lives trying to find fulfillment from the things of this world, attempting to "fill their cup" by piling in money, possessions, and pleasures, only to realize, sooner or later, their emptiness. Their cup has no foundation. It cannot be filled. They cannot be fulfilled.

But "my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (v. 5-6). To Him be all glory.