One minute you are driving along in great harmony and the next you are arguing over how to get from point A to point B! We become so quickly frustrated by the others' way of driving it turns into a personal attack on our character. Is it a control issue? Do we in the passenger seat see things better than the driver? Does the driver have full authority over the vehicle and thus should not be questioned?
An emotional button gets pushed that brings out all kinds of "junk." We start saying things that really have nothing to do with driving. We are suddenly arguing about the deficiencies we see in each other. The platform of driving becomes an excuse to bring out all the dirty laundry we have been collecting. Any psychologist would have some ripe fruit to pick from in discussing our relationship!
So what does the gospel have to do with that moment in my marriage and driving? EVERYTHING.
It's a biblical fact that these are actually God ordained moments to see the relevancy of Christ. They are designed to give you what you want most as a Christian - that the things of Jesus would be more second nature in how I live before the world but especially my spouse. "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel." James 4:1,2
I don't want to be so effected by things outside of me that I actually bring shame to the Savour who lives in me. One way to prevent that from happening is to literally and figuratively "pull over." To ask for forgiveness and to ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see what's really going on in the car.
You can take turns driving but you should never take turns striving to keep your eyes on Jesus.
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