Passing the Driving Exam

“Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:4

A man was taking his first driving lesson out in the country. Within an hour, he had learned to start the car, put it in reverse, go forward, and steer reasonably well. He concluded that driving was easy, so his instructor suggested that he practice on a nearby busy highway. After a few minutes in the roaring traffic, the man pulled off on a side road and stopped. Mopping his brow, he said, “If it weren’t for those other people, it would be simple.”

He quickly learned that with the privilege of driving a car goes an important responsibility. You have to look out for other drivers as well as yourself.

The same case happens with me as well. Learning to drive the car was easy. It did not take long. However to drive sensibly, well, that is one thing that I am still learning every day.

Most of us (must) have observed that man’s innate selfishness often surfaces when he gets behind the wheel of a car. He is quick to blow the horn, cut off another car (of course by a whisker!), and blame the other drivers. There are several factors. Some do it to show that they can drive quite fast. Some start late for work and rush at the ‘peak’ hours. While some try to race, against the clock and quite few of them to save time and fuel. The list is inexhaustible.

As a sensible person, and out mostly as Christians, however, we should express our faith even in our driving habits. If we look out for “the interests of others” as Paul said, we will be courteous, patient, thoughtful, and law-abiding drivers.

In life, as in driving, we cannot live as if we are the only ones on the road. We need to learn to get along with people- whatever we are doing. God’s grace must constantly be manifested in all our relationships. Regardless of the failures and mistakes of others who cross our path, we must always look out for their needs as well as our own.

Today, let us show consideration and kindness to our “fellow-travellers”, whether on the highway or along the road of life.

“Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.”