Reckless Violator

Driving is one of my greatest joys I am privileged to have. Unless there is traffic, then I wish everyone would just walk. But then there would be people traffic. I guess traffic is inevitable. I love finding shortcuts away from traffic, winding through backroads and trying to gun it through consecutive green lights to avoid stopped cars. 

    A few days ago I drove a different route from work to change things up. I veered right at a light to turn onto what I thought was just a street. That street quickly became the Interstate 5 freeway. Not just the busiest freeway, but I turned into the carpool only lane on the busiest freeway. This wouldn't have been an issue except, I was a single rider. I imagined all the cars passing me wondering where my second rider was.

    "How did this happen?!" 

    I talked and laughed to myself like I had a full carload. If people questioned whether I was carpooling, I'm pretty sure I convinced them. I drove a bit faster hoping that if only I sped by, then maybe they won't see that I'm driving in the carpool lane without anyone else in my car. I felt like the biggest liar.


   I kept telling myself, the lane will break soon. Instead the lane went off into it's own freeway ramp, right next to traffic. I pushed down on the petal harder, pressing on towards the nearest exit. A sign flashed by my car, "$341 dollar fine for violators." My eyes scanned in a panic for police cars, there was no way to get out! I flew off of an exit, fearing that everyone would be shouting "violator!" and a cop would stand there ready to flog or stone me for breaking the law.


   I am so thankful that God doesn't sit around like a cop, waiting to catch us violating His law. God created the Law so that we can live in unity and peace together. Christ already freed me from an obligation of obedience to the Law, I am seen as holy and righteous.

  As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the Law. Now that doesn't sound Lutheran of me, but I hope it sounds Biblical--"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it day and night."(Psalm 199:97) 

When I am compared against expectations that I can't live up to, I can only run to Christ. 

We're all reckless violators, but God is relentless in His love and grace. 

How can I not love and live out His Law? 

Transition

My first three months after graduating college I spent time in California, Texas, and China. Yeah, I see all of the similarities between those too. Graduation felt like dress up. I put on the drab academic cap and gown to celebrate my four years of study at University. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the classic academic ensemble with the "Pomp and Circumstance". My high school graduation opted for a more, festive selection out of tradition--bright orange and pure white. So, black was a transition from those vibrant colors.

Transition in life, whether miniscule or earth-shattering isn't easy. Often times I don't think we even take time to recognize change or transition in our lives. Then we wonder why we're stressed or irritated with the smallest of things. Well, since graduation I sure have noticed transition.

Walking to class, now driving EVERYWHERE! Friends who once lived down the hall now live up the freeway 30 minutes or across the globe. Flexible weekends to no weekends. Late night fun to early bed times. Studious college student to working young adult. Dependent to, well, almost independent...I'm working on it! After landing in the States, jet lagged for one week, I packed and moved to begin my year-long internship. Although the distance from home is barely two hours, everything is completely different.

Regardless of our age, there is always some transition going on in our lives even if just slight. When I take the time to recognize the shift, I can focus on the one thing that is constant--Christ. Everything around me can be moving, changing, leaving, disappointing. But He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is a stronghold, a place of refuge. He protects, guides, listens, cares, and loves. Always.