To honk? Or not to honk? That is the question!

My wife and I drove more than 2,000 miles on our round trip from Florida to Texas to see the Total Solar Eclipse.

We were a bit nervous about driving through so many “Red” states when our car had a license plate from a “Blue” state.

I’ve noticed for the last few years that some drivers in “Red” states are rude to me when I’m driving my car with a license plate from a “Blue” state. Similarly, some drivers in “Blue” states are rude to me when I’m driving my other car—the one with a license plate from a “Red” state.

This is one more example of the growing hatreds and divisions in the United States based on politics. (As well as an example of the error of prejudices that assume people think and act in certain ways based on the State where they live, their sex, their gender, their social status, their wealth, their religion, or their ethnicity. (Galatians 5:28).)

I remember when people at family gatherings (such as picnics) engaged in good-natured banter about who they favored for President.

As I’ve explained to my children, discussions about politics when I was growing up used to be similar to the discussions about which car you preferred. Chevy, Ford or Plymouth? Or about what you wanted to eat. A hot dog or a hamburger? Or about what you wanted to drink. A Coke or a Pepsi?

But now, there’s no good-natured banter about politics. Instead, politicians and political parties have manipulated religion and culture wars to inflame passions and politics.

No good-natured discussions. Only angry arguments!

No listening. Only shouting!

Tensions and anger will almost certainly get even worse as the Election draws closer.

In these quarrelsome times, we should follow Paul’s advice to Timothy: “[T]he Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone.” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Even if they cut us off in traffic, we should not cut them off in traffic.

In these angry times, we should follow Paul’s advice to Titus: Remember to “be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” (Titus 3:2). Even if they don’t make room for us to merge into traffic ahead of them, we should make room for them to merge into traffic ahead of us.

How can we reconcile this advice from Paul with the many times that Jesus and Paul spoke up and argued with opponents?

I struggled with this question in my blog “Grace and Peace—Titus”.

I decided that the key is whether your motive for speaking up is to help others (good)—or to help yourself (bad).

It’s a judgement call. It’s a time for wisdom.

As we learn in a famous passage from Ecclesiastes:

—Sometimes it is wise to hug. Sometimes it is wise not to hug. (Ecclesiastes 3:3).

—Sometimes it is wise to tear down. Sometimes it is wise to build up. (Ecclesiastes 3:3).

—Sometimes it is wise to weep. Sometimes it is wise to laugh. (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

—Sometimes it is wise to be silent. Sometimes it is wise to speak. (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

We need to pray for wisdom to discern the times and know what it is wise to do (or not to do). (James 1:5; 1 Chronicles 12:32).

Think of it as seeking the wisdom whether to honk the horn on your car.

Do not honk your horn to vent your anger. Honk your horn to help someone else to see, hear and understand the dangers of the times.

They may not see the child running in front of their car. They may not realize that another car is about to run a red light and T-bone them.

If you honk wisely, you will be a good neighbor—doing for them what you want them to do for you. (Matthew 7:12). You will be expressing love. (Galatians 5:6).

You will decrease the anger and tension of this dangerous time.

But if you honk angrily, you will be a nasty neighbor, doing to them what you do not want them to do to you. You will be expressing hate,

You will increase the anger and tension of this dangerous time.

To honk? Or not to honk? That is the question!

Choose wisely!

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

How often do you honk your horn? Why do you honk?

What is your reaction when other people honk at you? Why?

READ MORE

For related thoughts, please read my blogs “Grace and Peace—Titus”, “Jesus Climbs the Temple Mount”, and “Speaking Up”.