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.