i feel the need…..the need for speed

True confession, no lie, I like to drive fast.  Not only could this mean the maximum number on the speedometer but also might mean how quick can I get to that number.  Really, I’m telling all my business with this one.

Anyone who has known me for any length of time knows I love cars.  I have for a long time.  Even back in my upper elementary years I owned a Lamborghini sweatshirt.  Back in the day my brother and I had many discussions about Lamborghini vs. Ferrari and which one was better.  He was the Ferrari fan.  Boo. 

Horsepower!!!!  My true love is a Shelby Mustang.  A five speed, black Shelby with either flat black racing stripes or faint hot pink flames is my goal to own someday.  Choosing which year to get is the toughest decision.  Of course with a pony interior and a good amount of chrome.  My license plate will read ESTRGIN.  J  As you can tell I’ve thought a lot about this. 

When I owned my first car that had a V6 engine one of my first comments to someone about it was, “Finally I have a car that can keep up with me.”   My Dad pointed out while I was shopping for a car and was looking at this V6 that it wouldn’t get as great of gas mileage that I was use to.  I replied, “Good gas mileage isn’t any fun.” 

Let me clarify though, I don’t try to intentionally speed.  I never on purpose set my mind to go a crazy number of miles per hour over the speed limit.  HONEST.  Now, I’m not saying my foot doesn’t get heavy, especially if I’m jamming to some really great music. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy going fast, I just know it isn’t wise and it is illegal.  I like my insurance rates and I really don’t like the consequences of getting pulled over.

One day I was accelerating ever so quickly on the entrance ramp onto the highway and my son says to me, “Mom, this isn’t a NASCAR race.”  Isn’t he funny?  I said back to him that I wasn’t even up to the speed limit yet.  I also commented to him that I don’t try to intentionally speed.  I inadvertently said, “This is why I use the self-control button.”  What I meant was the cruise control.  Quite honestly though, for me the cruise control is using self-control. 

Don’t you wish it were just that easy?  I mean if I could set the “self-control” button in every area of my life that needed it, my flesh wouldn’t be a problem.  In a sense we have access to a self-control button with our lives.  Galatians 5:22-23 says when the Holy Spirit controls our lives (this is a choice) he produces this kind of fruit, self-control.  We all can ignore the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  He will never over-ride our choice but rather we need to make a choice to use His guidance. 

So remember, this isn’t a NASCAR race and set your self-control.  If you can help it you can avoid the consequences of getting pulled over. (Maybe I should learn to drive like it's "Saturday" - read previous blog)

are you lost in a maze?

Fall is my favorite season of the year.  My son and I started a new tradition two years ago to do together every fall.  Actually it was his idea.  There is a farm close by that I love to visit regularly during the fall.  They have cider, donuts, fudge, a petting farm, pumpkin patch, apple orchard and among many other things, an eight acre corn maze.  I love being on the farm.  Deep down I just know I could’ve been a farm girl if life would have gone that direction. 

The corn maze is so much fun.  The stalks are super tall and it takes a map to successfully navigate through the maze.  It takes a good 45 minutes to an hour to complete it.  Within the maze there are 10 poles, each with a different paper punch.  Attached to your map is a punch card with the numbers 1 through 10 to use with the correct paper punch.  This proves you successfully completed the maze. 

Bryce has proven that he is much better at reading the map than I am.  Guys usually are great with direction.  At least this girl isn’t so savvy.  So, this year I told him that he was my guide.  I wasn’t even going to look at the map for the corn maze and just follow him.

This can be good……..this can also be bad.

It takes complete trust to let someone else lead you around.  Or, you might just be lazy and want someone else to do all the work.  I knew, for me, I could figure it out and eventually find the exit.  I also knew if I let someone lead who is better with directions it wouldn’t take as long to complete the maze.  I also saw this give Bryce such confidence when he saw I trusted him and was depending on him.  (Ladies, maybe your man needs to really know that you trust him.  Tell him and show him by following when you should.  Okay, that’s a whole other blog post someday).

Relinquish control.

Well, at one point in the maze, I became distracted.  When I finally got around to looking up, I realized my leader was nowhere to be seen.  Not good.  I got out the map to try to figure out where I was at first.  This didn’t help much because I didn’t know where I was at.  Now what?  I waited for a little bit and Bryce came back for me once he realized I wasn’t following.  God spoke to me right then and there and said let this be a little lesson.  Ouch!

In reality life really is a whole lot like a corn maze when you think about it.  We can all wander around and get somewhere somehow if we want.  We also all have “poles” we are destined to be at in life as well.  Divine appointments.  You have a choice to let your Maker guide you through your “maze” and complete the work He gave you to do.  Not everyone thinks they have a purpose.  Some know it and choose to be distracted.  That is honestly what distractions are, just a choice. 

How’s your “punch card” look?  Are you where you need to be?  Don’t get lost.  Don’t take your eyes of your leader.  He knows what is best.  He also knows the path you need to be led down and He’ll direct you.  You only have to ask but then you need to obey. 

Psalm 16:11
MSG – Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face.  Ever since You took my hand, I’m on the right way.

NKJV – You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasure forevermore.