Permission

I drive a lot.  I don't always notice what other drivers are doing, but on a recent day, a thought stuck me as I noticed what this driver was doing.

Now, I won't go through a miniature drivers training education to make a point, but we can probably all agree that turn signals are designed to indicate a move you are going to make.  This is something that I think everyone knows.  My children probably know this already.

So, I'm cruising along on I-94 headed to the office or an appointment, and I am coming up on a car in the lane to my right.  There are three lanes where I was driving, and I was in the middle lane.  The car to my right was pretty far in front of my, but there was a semi in front of her, and she was driving faster than the semi. 

Something has to change in that scenario.  So, what did she do?  She had plenty of time to get in front of me and get around the semi, and get back over if she so chose, but she didn't.  With plenty of room, she turned on her turn signal, and let it blink, blink, blink while I was then faced with a decision.  Do I stay well within my "rights" as a driver, and keep going straight making her pin herself behind the semi, or do I move over, and allow her to make the move she intended to make? 

Most of the time, I don't have much compassion in this scenario, but I did this time.  I moved to the left (using my own turn signal), and allowed the driver to my right, to take my spot in order to get around the semi.

Then, I had this thought:  Many people live their lives in the same manner as this woman used her turn signal.  This signal is designed to indicate a decision that has already been made, and an intended purpose.  If the driver wasn't going to move until after I passed her, then she shouldn't have set the signal before I had passed her.  At least that's what I think.

The way she used her signal was like she was asking for permission to do something with her car that she had every option, right, or choice to exercise.   The signal means, "I'm moving this direction, pay attention", it doesn't mean, "If you'd please move, I would like to get in your lane."

Don't make decisions, and choose things in life in the way that many people use their turn signal.  Make your decision, and have your action meet your decision without asking permission from people who don't have the authority to give you the permission.  Do it. 

Psalm 37:23-24  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong.  for the LORD upholds his hand.

Proverbs 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision if from the LORD.

Romans 11:36  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever. Amen.

Observation

I spend my time around others just like everyone else.  I see others when I wake up, when I get to work, while I drive, and after I'm done working.  I see others at church, and sporting events, and even at retail stores.  Part of this seeing is observation, and I have started to look more into why others do what they do rather that just what they are doing.  Observation, just as it is part of the scientific process, is valuable for any critical review of another's actions are decision making process.

I have one in mind for discussion.

This one in particular, I have watched for months, and I've seen a lot of others like him.  He is very popular, or seems to be.  Of the group he is included in, he is head and shoulders above the rest.  He really stands out.  In many ways he is more attractive then those around him.  In the day to day details of his life and work, he doesn't really do the hard things that the others around him have to do.  He does seem to be the protector of the others, and has more strength than most.  It seems to me that he knows all this.  He parades around as if he is better, stronger, smarter, and not really part of the others he is with.  Others wait on him, and provide him with meals.  He doesn't clean up anything afterward either.

He has a great ability to be threatening, and can use this threat for his own benefit, or for the benefit of the others he is with.  He can and sometimes does use this skill to defend the others.  I believe he is a "manager" of sorts to them, and they don't seem to mind.  After all, they do need a leader.   

He seems to be better suited for life than the others.  He handles himself proudly, and with confidence.  He is in charge of his domain, you might say, and doesn't compromise for poor behavior.  Others that may be suited for leadership as he is take a back seat to his direction.  He is a good leader.  He has many admirable qualities, and has trust in his methods.  He is a prize specimen.

He seems to know these things, and let them get to his head.  This powerful leader knows he is powerful.  There are some who try to avoid him at any cost becasue of this.

Impressed?  I have been.  This is a resume that is hard to top.

The "one" I am referring to is our "head" rooster.

Let me submit to you that this is the way we think as humans.  We compare ourselves with those around us, and notice the good things we do that are better than others.  From God's perspective, we are just like the rooster who struts around and is bigger, and badder than all the others.  If that rooster came up to you, and detailed his finely prepared resume, you'd look at him, and say, "You're a chicken."  None of his resume matter.  Chickens can't compete with people.  People have nothing, and can't compete with God, no matter how good our "resume" is.

God is so powerful, so compassionate, and so righteous, we would be well served to think of ourselves as a colorful rooster in the service of the King of the Universe.