Our lives are governed by time. We have 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week and so on. As a driver, I am bound by the pickup time, delivery time and the time it takes to get to each spot. I also have to deal with time lost for repairs, construction or simply sleeping in. Time is such a critical part of our lives.
This evening I was also reminded how precious time is. I saw my grandma of 87 years, soon to be 88. I know how her time on this earth has been filled with joy, sorrow, success, failure and now in her later years - pain. It is becoming very evident that Grandma's time on this earth is drawing to a close. How soon, I don't know. But the time I have to see her is very precious to her and to me.
Even as I contemplate these elements of time, I am reminded of the Psalmist who writes: "My times are in Your hands." The Psalmist is very much aware that the times he has on this earth are very much controlled by the Lord God Almighty. There is not an aspect of his life that does not go by without the Lord's involvement in it. Whether it is times of joy, happiness, peace, comfort or sorrow, pain, suffering, delay and the like, it is all in the hands of the Lord.
But what about time is extremely critical to us? It is the fact that once it is gone, it cannot be gotten back. How many from 10 years ago would love to have one more second with a loved one who died that day in September 2001? The time is gone. It cannot come back. This is especially true of the time we have on this earth to learn to know and come to faith in the One True God. Once we leave this earth at death, there is no coming back. There is no second chance to get it right. Just as we want to make the most of the the time we have with loved ones, we want to make the most of the time we have in coming to faith. It is just as important for us to make the most of the time we have with those who don't know the Lord. We may only get the one shot, we may get many times, who knows. What I do know is it is vital for all involved for our conversations to be heavenward, pointing to the one who came from heaven for us, died for us and rose again. There will be a time when He comes again and ends all time. So be diligent and purposeful in the use of your time. Make every second count.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Pet Peeves
As I have been driving, there is one thing that I really have developed a distaste for. I would classify it as a "pet peeve." It really sets me off whenever it happens. You can ask my wife how I react when it happens with her in the vehicle. It is how people get on the freeway.
All too often they seem to think that it is okay to take their time getting up to speed as they merge into traffic that is going at least 55 mph. That is how fast my rig goes most of the time. They wait until the last minute to look to the left to see how they are going to fit into the flow of traffic. They wait to speed up so they can safely merge. Most of the time I am forced to make a decision that I am not happy with because it causes me to lose momentum. I get upset over this "little" thing and I want to just give them a little nudge to get them going, blow my horn at them to wake them up or just not move so they have to make the adjustment. My nature thinks I have the right to get upset with how these people drive and inconvenience me. Is it right for me to think and act this way?
I consider how God must feel and think about me each time I do the same stupid thing time and time again. The difference between His reaction and mine is that He righteously can get upset with me. I'm the one doing it wrong all the time. I'm the one that messes it up. He could just run me over, yell at me, blow a horn in my ear and get His point across to me. After all, we are told by God himself: "I hate sin." He is not just indifferent about it, mildly upset by it, or become calloused to it. He wants to push away anyone and anything that has to do with sin. That is His nature.
Thankfully, what He did to deal with my sins and all sins: forgive them because of the blood shed to pay for them, allows me to deal with myself and the people in this world. We will all continue to mess up, sin, and do things that upset others. However, as His Children, we can forgive each other and go on. We can get over out "pet peeves" and learn to love instead of get upset. But still, if you see a big, orange truck coming at you as you get on the freeway, step on it and get moving down the road please. :)
All too often they seem to think that it is okay to take their time getting up to speed as they merge into traffic that is going at least 55 mph. That is how fast my rig goes most of the time. They wait until the last minute to look to the left to see how they are going to fit into the flow of traffic. They wait to speed up so they can safely merge. Most of the time I am forced to make a decision that I am not happy with because it causes me to lose momentum. I get upset over this "little" thing and I want to just give them a little nudge to get them going, blow my horn at them to wake them up or just not move so they have to make the adjustment. My nature thinks I have the right to get upset with how these people drive and inconvenience me. Is it right for me to think and act this way?
I consider how God must feel and think about me each time I do the same stupid thing time and time again. The difference between His reaction and mine is that He righteously can get upset with me. I'm the one doing it wrong all the time. I'm the one that messes it up. He could just run me over, yell at me, blow a horn in my ear and get His point across to me. After all, we are told by God himself: "I hate sin." He is not just indifferent about it, mildly upset by it, or become calloused to it. He wants to push away anyone and anything that has to do with sin. That is His nature.
Thankfully, what He did to deal with my sins and all sins: forgive them because of the blood shed to pay for them, allows me to deal with myself and the people in this world. We will all continue to mess up, sin, and do things that upset others. However, as His Children, we can forgive each other and go on. We can get over out "pet peeves" and learn to love instead of get upset. But still, if you see a big, orange truck coming at you as you get on the freeway, step on it and get moving down the road please. :)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
"Safely"
How often have you said this or had this said to you: "Drive safely"? I usually have this as my response: "Only if he wants to ride with me." I guess "safely" was riding along with me last Wednesday as I was driving on Interstate 15 heading north out of Baker, CA. I was rear-ended by another driver. He totalled his car while bending the bumper on my trailer in 45 degrees. He also managed to come far enough under to take two big chunks of tread out of one of my tires and anothe out of the sidewall. He walked away with just a cut on his head. I was able to drive away, get my tire replaced in Las Vegas and make my deliveries the next day.
Each day we get in a car, walk out of our homes, get out of bed and do a whole host of other things. We do them without thinking about the danger that exists all around us. If we did, how would we act? We might become paralyzed by the thoughts of what "might happen." I'm usually driving just feet away from other trucks that carry who knows what. A plethora of things could happen that would cause us to meet in one way or another. However, when all are doing their jobs by doing a proper pre-trip, drive defensively and for the conditions, we make it to our destinations without incident.
One perspective would say that is how we planned it. It is supposed to work that way. The truth is "Safely" rides with me each day in the person of Jesus Christ or one of His appointed angels. I could not be away from my family and loved ones as much as I am, doing what I do without his hand of protection over me and my loved ones. He has promised that He will not slumber nor sleep, even when I get the rest I need to drive the miles I do each day. I could do everything "right" according to human standards and still have it all go wrong. With my Lord, even if it goes wrong, humanly speaking, I am always in his care. That is true for all His Children. That is what enables us to exist and operate in a world full of "chance", "circumstance", and just plain "dumb luck."
I have included a picture of what the impact did to my bumper. It is made of 1/4 inch square steel tubing, set at 18 inches above the ground. I was doing 40 mph when I got hit.
Each day we get in a car, walk out of our homes, get out of bed and do a whole host of other things. We do them without thinking about the danger that exists all around us. If we did, how would we act? We might become paralyzed by the thoughts of what "might happen." I'm usually driving just feet away from other trucks that carry who knows what. A plethora of things could happen that would cause us to meet in one way or another. However, when all are doing their jobs by doing a proper pre-trip, drive defensively and for the conditions, we make it to our destinations without incident.
One perspective would say that is how we planned it. It is supposed to work that way. The truth is "Safely" rides with me each day in the person of Jesus Christ or one of His appointed angels. I could not be away from my family and loved ones as much as I am, doing what I do without his hand of protection over me and my loved ones. He has promised that He will not slumber nor sleep, even when I get the rest I need to drive the miles I do each day. I could do everything "right" according to human standards and still have it all go wrong. With my Lord, even if it goes wrong, humanly speaking, I am always in his care. That is true for all His Children. That is what enables us to exist and operate in a world full of "chance", "circumstance", and just plain "dumb luck."
I have included a picture of what the impact did to my bumper. It is made of 1/4 inch square steel tubing, set at 18 inches above the ground. I was doing 40 mph when I got hit.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Frustration
There was a load I had a couple of months back that really frustrated me. When I got to the shipper in Salt Lake City, the load was not ready. I sat backed up to the dock for over 6 hours. I was able to make it to my delivery on time. However, when I got there, I was not given a door for over two hours. I was able to take out my frustrations by unloading the truck myself. I got done in the same amout of time as the remainder of trucks that hired lumpers to unload them.
There are many days, sometimes weeks that seem to have occurences like this. The frustrations also include not getting home as often as I would like, not getting the miles I need, sitting under a load for four days when I could have delivered in less than two. I guess it's part of the industry. I'm sure many jobs have frustrations of their own that need to be dealt with.
Going through this reminds me of the frustration that Paul had with himself that he described in Romans. He talked about doing evil instead of the good he wanted to do. He just wished it would go away. But, he knew the struggle would not end as long as he lived on this earth. He would have to be patient and wait for perfection to come. Until then he would continue to struggle with his sinful flesh and fight at the urges and temptations to not do the good he needed to do as a believer.
The same is true for me and you. We need to deal with the frustrations each day. Put a smile on our faces and keep looking ahead to that time when we won't have to deal with them. Knowing that Christ has dealt with those weaknesses of ours by His perfect life, allows us to push on and stay "optimistic" about the future. Things will get better. We just drive on through and keep focused on the final destination.
There are many days, sometimes weeks that seem to have occurences like this. The frustrations also include not getting home as often as I would like, not getting the miles I need, sitting under a load for four days when I could have delivered in less than two. I guess it's part of the industry. I'm sure many jobs have frustrations of their own that need to be dealt with.
Going through this reminds me of the frustration that Paul had with himself that he described in Romans. He talked about doing evil instead of the good he wanted to do. He just wished it would go away. But, he knew the struggle would not end as long as he lived on this earth. He would have to be patient and wait for perfection to come. Until then he would continue to struggle with his sinful flesh and fight at the urges and temptations to not do the good he needed to do as a believer.
The same is true for me and you. We need to deal with the frustrations each day. Put a smile on our faces and keep looking ahead to that time when we won't have to deal with them. Knowing that Christ has dealt with those weaknesses of ours by His perfect life, allows us to push on and stay "optimistic" about the future. Things will get better. We just drive on through and keep focused on the final destination.
Monday, August 1, 2011
What I hear.
Communication is mainly about language and how it is used. For a truck driver you can use words/anacronymns like "DOT," "FMCSA," dispatcher, consignee, steers, drives, tandemns, "HOS," "bear" and "bear with a customer". The driver would know exactly what you are talking about. For teachers and students you say: detention, tardy, parent/teacher meeting, recess, or grades and they have the pictures in mind. For Pastors, words like confession, doctrine, absolution, worship, counseling and catechism, bring to mind all the hours that are spent each week in dealing with each one. Those in construction would know all about grade, pitch, slump, board feet, tensile strength and square footage. No matter what the profession, we all have our own jargon and language.
All too often, in some professions more than others, those words are accompanied by other words and language that is easy to say and be understood by all, even 4-year-olds. However, it grates on those not accustomed to hearing it and they are offended when they hear it. It is easy to find oneself following the examples of those around them and start using those very same words to fit in and get the point across. It is usually spoken to add some sort of emphasis or authority to what is said. Young people also think it makes them sound cool. Neither of those are true.
This gives us another area in which we can let our lights shine before men. James in chapter 3 of his Epistle writes: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
It takes a great amount of attentive effort to work at this. The place to start is by first recognizing how guilty each of us is in not using proper language/words in our daily life. Turn to the Lord with a repentant heart and ask for his forgiveness. Also, be willing to ask for that same forgiveness of those we have offended by the loose tongue we exercised. Go forward in that forgiveness and challenge yourself to use words that flow from a heart that has been washed and made white with the blood of Jesus. It is a task that is not easy. But, it is worth the effort. People will recognize and be more willing to listen to sweet words of love than words that cut and grate.
I had an ex-sailor tell me one time that he had earned the right to use any kind of language he wanted to. My initial response to that was, "You will have to answer to the Lord for your language." Since then, I have come up with another response: "You have also earned the right to not use that language." Take some time and think of what you might say to those who use harsh language around you. But first, be an example to them by the language you use/don't use on a regular basis. Then they might be more willing to listen to your admonition and guidance.
All too often, in some professions more than others, those words are accompanied by other words and language that is easy to say and be understood by all, even 4-year-olds. However, it grates on those not accustomed to hearing it and they are offended when they hear it. It is easy to find oneself following the examples of those around them and start using those very same words to fit in and get the point across. It is usually spoken to add some sort of emphasis or authority to what is said. Young people also think it makes them sound cool. Neither of those are true.
This gives us another area in which we can let our lights shine before men. James in chapter 3 of his Epistle writes: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
It takes a great amount of attentive effort to work at this. The place to start is by first recognizing how guilty each of us is in not using proper language/words in our daily life. Turn to the Lord with a repentant heart and ask for his forgiveness. Also, be willing to ask for that same forgiveness of those we have offended by the loose tongue we exercised. Go forward in that forgiveness and challenge yourself to use words that flow from a heart that has been washed and made white with the blood of Jesus. It is a task that is not easy. But, it is worth the effort. People will recognize and be more willing to listen to sweet words of love than words that cut and grate.
I had an ex-sailor tell me one time that he had earned the right to use any kind of language he wanted to. My initial response to that was, "You will have to answer to the Lord for your language." Since then, I have come up with another response: "You have also earned the right to not use that language." Take some time and think of what you might say to those who use harsh language around you. But first, be an example to them by the language you use/don't use on a regular basis. Then they might be more willing to listen to your admonition and guidance.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
View out the window
What is it about looking out a window and watching the world and how people interact in it? I am sitting here in the Wendy's in Dunnigan, CA watching the action at the gas pumps. Many of the people I watched today were just focused on getting in line to get gas for the car, stretch their legs, get a quick snack/bite to eat and hit the road for home. Some got upset at how slow and long the lines were for the pumps. Others just went along with the flow. Few managed to interact with anyone around them unless it was to get what they wanted. Then they went on their way to their destination.
Most of what I saw is exactly what I do on a daily basis while driving a truck. I'm alone most of the time behind the wheel and interact with a few people at each location I either pick up or drop off my load. I am focused on the task at hand and want to get on to the next location. That is part of my job. But, how does all of that fit into my vocation?
The devotion from Meditations this morning talked about carrying a cross and what that means today. If someone were to follow after me and interview those I interact with, would they know that I believe in Jesus: The Way, The Truth, The Life? For some of those interactions, I know the answer would be most definitely: Yes. But, what about the others? The struggle I face each day, as I'm sure most Christians do, is being bold and strong in the Lord to the point that there is no doubt in people's minds about who I am and that I care enough for them to share with them saving message of the Gospel.
I know the answer to my own question lies in the very message I love to share. I have to rely on Christ and the gifts He gives me through the Word. It is only through the instruction I receive daily given by the Holy Spirit that I have any strength to continue to do this job. He has called me to live my faith out in the open, before a world that needs examples and lights to shine forth so they may find HIM. So, I ask for prayers that I may be bolder and be a brighter light. Join me in not only watching the world, but increase our interaction with it so that many more will have connections to the source of eternal life: Christ.
Most of what I saw is exactly what I do on a daily basis while driving a truck. I'm alone most of the time behind the wheel and interact with a few people at each location I either pick up or drop off my load. I am focused on the task at hand and want to get on to the next location. That is part of my job. But, how does all of that fit into my vocation?
The devotion from Meditations this morning talked about carrying a cross and what that means today. If someone were to follow after me and interview those I interact with, would they know that I believe in Jesus: The Way, The Truth, The Life? For some of those interactions, I know the answer would be most definitely: Yes. But, what about the others? The struggle I face each day, as I'm sure most Christians do, is being bold and strong in the Lord to the point that there is no doubt in people's minds about who I am and that I care enough for them to share with them saving message of the Gospel.
I know the answer to my own question lies in the very message I love to share. I have to rely on Christ and the gifts He gives me through the Word. It is only through the instruction I receive daily given by the Holy Spirit that I have any strength to continue to do this job. He has called me to live my faith out in the open, before a world that needs examples and lights to shine forth so they may find HIM. So, I ask for prayers that I may be bolder and be a brighter light. Join me in not only watching the world, but increase our interaction with it so that many more will have connections to the source of eternal life: Christ.
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