We were waiting for a green light in two lanes that merged into one on the other side of the intersection. Since it is on my way to school often I am stopped there. After the light turns green people usually perform as taught in kindergarten, they take turns merging. However, this morning the driver beside me decided to hug the bumper of the car in front of her not allowing anyone to merge between her and the car ahead of her. In the line of cars she had gained one car length. Once we had gained speed I did a brief calculation and guessed she had gained one tenth of a second by her rudeness.
One tenth of a second is gone before we can say it. I realize that is a very important amount of time at the Olympic Games. Actually one hundredth of a second often determines the difference between winning the gold or the silver medal. But, this was not the Olympic Games. This was people going to work. Surely a tenth of a second did not matter even if she did have to punch a time clock.
How often in life do we push our way to the front? How often are we rude? And for what? Perhaps it might matter if we were starving and there was just so much food to be passed out. But what would happen to us if we took Jesus’ counsel seriously about the first being last and the last first, or Paul’s counsel to prefer others above ourselves? Matthew 19:30 and Romans 12:10 Knowing that Jesus and Paul were great psychologists, I am convinced we would discover life is richer and more fulfilling than had we acted otherwise.
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 28, 2010
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org