A couple weeks ago I was driving from my house to my parents’ (about a 20-mile commute), and I found that I was doing a really good job of driving. You know, I was making good lane change decisions and knowing which cars would slow me down, etc. Not that I was incredibly in a hurry or anything, but I just felt like I was making smart moves. Not too fast or too furious. (Though I wouldn’t have minded if Paul Walker was my co-pilot. :) )
Soon after getting on the freeway from my place at the beginning of the trip, I realized that another car behind me must’ve noticed my good decision making because he started following my every move (in a non-creepy, non-stalker way… I could tell). It was great because it wasn’t even like I was really speeding all that much and I wasn’t driving erratically, I was just making smart moves. (And we all know that doesn’t always happen — especially sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic — just when you think you’ve found the “fast lane,” the lane that you just moved from becomes the “fast lane” and like 500 cars pass you by. Awesome.) This van and I both succeeded because someone (just happened to be me in this case) was doing a good job at leading the way.
Later that day when I was telling my family of my good driving skills (it wasn’t so much bragging as ‘patting myself on the back’… out loud), I was thinking how I want my life to reflect my driving. I want to make good decisions and live by example so that others can succeed. Most importantly, I want to live by example of the greatest leader, Jesus. I really want to try harder and following His every move to better love others and live life well.
I’m reminded of this analogy now every time I drive. And, especially for me, it is an important reminder to be patient and loving behind an annoying slow moving vehicle or someone who doesn’t use their turn signal or someone who pulls out in front of me. I know I’m not always the best driver, but I can lead by example.
