A recurring topic – THE TRAFFIC! In meetings, at meals, working with friends, family, colleagues, speaking with every group we typically encounter and new groups, there it is again…THE TRAFFIC! No one is happy about it. Living in a large city we expect certain realities, but for some reason, not traffic! Road improvements are on-going. The hurricane changed Houston drastically and now more improvements are drastically needed.
Who is honking at me?! I think we are all on our last nerve and then we get in the car and expect light traffic! My old jeep is a standard so the days of it wanting to be like a sports car and going zero to 60 in 6 seconds are never ‘gonna happen! No, the old “Buff” (after the Colorado Buffaloes) needs a minute! I don’t mean to cause more frustration, truly!
While driving the other day, I was surprised by a spiritual challenge. Frustrated with THE TRAFFIC, it hit me…what can I do in this required mode of life in a big city? To my left, right, front and rear view mirror are all cars filled with people. Do I know these people? A few possibly, but God knows them all!
Hmmmm! Wondering now how I see them – their value before God?
I call them THE TRAFFIC! (with an ‘ugh’ in my voice) Are they calling me THE TRAFFIC also!
How many deserve to be on the road?
Privilege always says – me, I do! Oh dear!
The paradigm shift needs to happen when “me or I” comes first, right? Ouch!
How may I see God’s people more lovingly? Yes, all of these precious people I’ve been calling, THE TRAFFIC. First, I’d like to confess to God and you – please forgive my attitude. Second, I sensed the Holy Spirit calling me to begin to pray for everyone around me. Are they struggling with life’s challenges, looking for happiness, seeking solutions – most importantly, seeking a Savior? If they are a creation of God, made in His image, could I find a way to pray for them – for their journey in those moments?
Holy Father, you are the giver of beautiful names for your people. You are aware of all of their comings and goings along the countryside and citywide! What a magnificent Creator you are. Thank you for hearing our prayers and taking them directly into your heart. Please bless all of your dear people driving in the lanes to and from, morning and night, day after day. Please forgive my complaining attitude and calling your people, THE TRAFFIC. We might not know each other’s name, but you do! You are aware of every need and we pray your blessing and healing upon your people. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
The Gospel of Matthew shares a promise…”For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”[1]
“Gathered,” — is this a stretch? It’s driving, right! But why do we save worship for the sanctuary?
Do we question if there are others like us in the lanes? Do they love you, Lord, like us? Or shall we simply be drawn into prayer knowing the Holy Spirit is drawing souls at all times. Let’s worship Our Risen Savior, the high priest of the sanctuary – in traffic! As we pray for our traveling neighbors, stress will turn to God’s peace. May we remember all God has done for us, on the road with five or five hundred, especially now with all of the many long hours restoring lives and homes. May we praise God, sing, confess, forgive, with all those who attend the Traffic Church of the Redeemer with us! Together may we be drawn closer to God and one another. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mt 18:20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.