Spiritual DUI

Most are familiar with the acronym "DUI".  "Driving under the
influence" is a serious offense in every state and is virtually
guaranteed to bring strong consequences.  The problem occurs when
people use intoxicants - either alcohol or some other drug - and then
attempt to drive.  How can a person make split-second driving
decisions when their ability to make judgments has been slowed?

There are other influences, too, that can impair one's ability to
drive.  Much attention has been given in recent months to texting.
One news story today raised the question of whether a famous plastic
surgeon may have been texting just before the car crash that claimed
his life.  Can you really keep focused on the road while responding to
the message you just received?

Now we're told that dogs should be viewed as another source of
distraction while driving.  The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has
found that 80% of drivers say they have transported their pets in
their vehicles, but only 17% restrain those pets in a cage or in some
other way.  Authorities advise pet owners to make use of pet seat-belt
restraints or special carriers when transporting them.

6,000 lives are lost each year because of distracted driving,
according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  You
may be a teetotaler, but driving under the influence of a dog is also
a big mistake.

The most important journey on which each of us has embarked is our
journey toward eternity.  We have only this life to make our
preparations for what lies beyond.  Words like these in Hebrews 9:27
should get our attention: "And as it is appointed for men to die once,
but after this the judgment."

Satan doesn't want us to make that journey safely.  He knows how to
distract us with all sorts of glittering influences.  As we gaze upon
these diversions we miss turns that we should have taken and fail to
brake for obstacles that lie in our path.

Jesus teaches us about this danger: "Now he who received seed among
the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and
the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful"
(Matthew 13:22).  Those who are intent on growing strong in the
spiritual life must frequently check for distractions.  Those vining
weeds will choke the good we set out to attain.

In Paul's last letter he appealed to Timothy to come to him quickly,
"For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world ..." (2
Timothy 4:10).  That's precisely why John sounded this warning to all
Christians: "Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If
anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John
2:15).

Life could not have been any better for Eve than what she had in the
Garden of Eden.  Satan then entered the scene, enticing her to eat the
one fruit God had forbidden.  "You will not surely die," hissed the
serpent (Genesis 3:4).  But he lied and they were distracted from
God's will.  The rest of their lives were spent in regret; "If only we
had kept our focus on God!"

Be careful not to drive under the influence of a dog.  And by all
means don't live under the influence of a serpent!

Come to the light God offers!  Study His word, the Bible.  Worship Him
in spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Get in touch with us if you'd like
to discuss these ideas further.

Timothy D. Hall