Spreading Light
Driving Lessons: Slow To Anger
Recently, I’ve realized that driving a car tests whether I am living in ways that reflect the Presence of the LORD (Exodus 34:6-7)—whether I am living in ways that produce the fruit of the Spirit of the LORD (Galatians 5:22-23).
In Exodus 34:6-7, Moses learns that the LORD is slow to anger. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul teaches us that the fruit of the Spirit of the LORD is long-suffering patience.
This was a hard lesson for Moses to learn. He definitely had anger management issues.
Moses got so angry at an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew that he killed the Egyptian. (Exodus 2:11-12).
Moses got so angry at the Israelites for disobeying the Ten Commandments, that he smashed the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 32:15-20).
Moses got so angry at the Israelites that he struck a rock to get them water, disobeying the LORD’s command to speak to the rock instead of striking it. (Numbers 20:1-12).
I assume that in the 21st Century, Moses would have had road rage.
I don’t get road rage, but I do find it hard to be slow to anger when I am driving—to display long-suffering patience when I am driving.
People drive too slowly. People drive too fast. People should get through the intersection quickly so I can also get through.
People go right on red so I can move up and also go right on red. People should start going as soon as the light turns green. Instead, people sit there, distracted. Talking on their phone. Looking at their phone.
People honk at me because they don’t like something about the way I’m driving.
Every few seconds, another thing happens that angers me.
Clearly, I need to learn to be slow to anger.
I need the presence of the LORD in my heart when I’m driving—and when I’m living. I need to learn the wisdom of long-suffering patience when I’m driving—and when I’m living.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
Do you believe the LORD has long-suffering patience? How? Why?
Do you have long-suffering patience? How? How not? Why? Why not?
Do you get angry at the bad ways others drive (their “specks”), but ignore or excuse the bad ways you drive (your “planks”)? How? How not? Why? Why not?
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For related thoughts, please read my blogs “Do Not Strike the Rock!”, “Jesus Climbs the Temple Mount”, and “Building Houses on Sand: Specks and Planks”.