Do you know what the most expensive moving violation is? I don’t know about everywhere, but I know the answer in at least one Texas panhandle county. You may not know the answer to the question, but I’ll bet you know how I know the answer!
I was motoring down 287 last week coming home from spending a week with my perfect and beautiful granddaughter (you knew I’d get that in somehow) when I saw the flashing lights coming up behind me. I had seen him beside the road a mile or so back and now he was coming after me. So, I began the check: speedometer …ok … registration and Inspection stickers … ok. I pulled over and began digging out my driver’s license and insurance card, totally clueless about the reason for the stop. He did not look happy as he walked up to my window. My infraction? I did not move to the left lane as I passed him by the side of the road while his lights were flashing.
“Passing an authorized emergency vehicle” carries a $300 price tag. Ouch!
Did you know that, when passing an emergency vehicle with lights flashing, you must either yield the lane or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit? I somehow missed that memo. However, ignorance is not an acceptable excuse.
You should also know that I am the guy that ALWAYS pulls over to the right side and stops for an emergency vehicle in motion or for a funeral procession. However, past history of exceptional behavior is no excuse.
I get it. There have been too many emergency personnel and good Samaritans who have been injured or killed by careless drivers. So, here’s the truth: I did it. I was wrong. I deserve the consequences. All $300 worth.
This morning, in my daily Bible reading time, I read 1 Peter 2:20-21. The Message translation says it this way: “There’s no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.”
Don’t congratulate me, or anyone else, for accepting the consequences when we do something wrong. That is only noteworthy because we have so lowered our expectations of behavior. Virtue is shown when we suffer for doing right AND do so with patience, grace, and continued service. Our lives matter so much to God that He wants to reveal His character through us in how we respond when we are treated unfairly. Jesus did not deserve the consequences of our sin, but He took them anyway.
Question: How will His character be revealed in us today?
Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your plan for the day.
