OK

Do you ever make mistakes?

I drove down to the beach yesterday in my Jeep Wrangler. Needless to say, it was a loud and bumpy ride. I put my noise cancelling earbuds in while driving to try and eliminate the whipping sound of the wind. While doing this, I usually call my brother and catch up. I also listen to music. It is pretty enjoyable and the time passes quickly.

Yesterday after arriving at the beach and unpacking food and other items, I had a headache. I decided to order take out from a local Italian restaurant. I had to park some distance from the restaurant along a four lane road in town. It was nice to stretch my legs actually. After grabbing my food and starting for the car, I looked ahead and planned my path of return heading in the other direction. As I approached the light it turned red. No cars were behind me until after sitting there a few seconds. After the light turned green I proceeded to turn left. All of the sudden the lady behind me, in her red beater, was laying on the horn and yelling out her window. I had already pulled into the turn space between the four lanes, and the horn was still going. Through my closed window, I faintly hear her yell, "there's no turn on red." I crane my neck so that I can see the stoplight, and sure enough there was a no left turn sign positioned on the wire. I did not see that sign before taking the left turn.

This woman was going to be the sayer and the judge against me for my err. Not only that, the commotion rattled me to the bone. There is nothing like a horn and yelling to reach deep down inside of you and spike that cortisol. My head was throbbing and the sun was bright and warm. OK, I had messed up, again.

Do you delight in judging others in this world? Is this your duty? Do you feel it is your job to correct others? These people are keepers of chaos and locked in this world. Oh how, this world has sunk into their inner beings. Their outer skin has become a barrier that is impenetrable. Their eyes are spiritually blind. Their minds overcome with dictating right from wrong, not the ultimate request of Jesus, to love your neighbor, as yourself. The robber of peace, love and joy has hold of them.

Isaiah speaks of the one who will judge in steadfast love. He speaks of the coming Messiah. The one who was on the earth and ate with tax collectors, Jesus. The one who was found teaching in a synagogue as a child. The one who carried His cross blameless, as He faithfully surrendered His life, for all of us. He did not put up a fight. He did not yell at those who accused Him. He walked silently to His predestined death. He did this so that He could be resurrected. So that people would witness this miracle on the earth, and tell others. Jesus rising from the dead. This is what Isaiah spoke of, centuries before it came to pass.

Surprisingly, this woman's actions did not stay with me long. I realized that this was a teaching moment to be shared with you all. The world is a loud and busy place. There are always people in a hurry. Sure, we must respect our elders and the rules, but we will make mistakes. We are called to walk with righteousness. Our sins were nailed to the cross. Remember that we are here to serve and love others. We are children of God.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God---even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." -1Corinthians 10:31- 33