Avoid Blind Spots
Photo Credit / Ps. 119: 35, MSG
I grabbed my sun glasses and rolled down the windows. The sunny day was calling me to cruise the expressway, and I simply couldn’t resist.
The cloudless blue sky made my heart sing. I turned up the radio and belted out karaoke style as I pressed down on the accelerator.
Zipping along like the Queen of the Road, I was confident and carefree.
I sped forward until I spotted a Grandma crawling in a tiny car in front of me. I decided to make my move and leave her in the dust.
That’s when reality hit.
HONK. HOOONNKKK. HONK.
My heart raced erratically, and I jerked the car back into my lane to avoid crashing into a tank that magically appeared on my right. I eased down on the brake and moved over to the far-right lane to cower in fear.
I never saw it coming.
I never see it coming ever.
I always forget my blind spot.
++
Today, I got a call from an old friend. She shared how someone we love is about to crash. This is not the first smash up, and she’s worried for his safety.
If you neglect to pay attention to your blind spot, a total wreck is inevitable.
I don’t want to miss out on the journey that God has laid out for me. I pray for God to teach me to exercise wise judgment, rather than running roughshod over others on the road.
A wise traveler follows the rules of the road to avoid a washout:
- Focus on the road ahead and turn off distractions: On the road of life, we need to create a quiet space and turn off the noise.
- Drive defensively with a watchful eye: Pray for protection as you move forward. Ask God to help you heed His signposts.
- Look in the mirror: God’s Word will point out obstacles in your path.
- Glance over your shoulder: Look back at the terrain behind you and avoid colliding with someone who is not traveling in the same lane as you.
- Leave space between yourself and careless drivers: A little distance creates space for you to respond wisely, rather than react out of fear.
The best way to avoid a crash is to stay in your lane and move forward on the path that God has lovingly laid out for you.
LOVE this post, Lyli! Sometimes, it just feels like things are moving way too slowly, and it seems that God has forgotten us. It is then that I am tempted to shift things into high gear and try to get around Him and His plan, carving out a plan of my own. I think often of the story in the Old Testament where God told Joshua to stay 2000 cubits BEHIND the Ark of the Covenant….not a bit more, not a bit less….to keep a clear visibility, and yet to give ample space for the Ark to lead. I am learning SO much from this passage of Scripture. Thank you for writing what God places upon your heart. You are such a blessing. 🙂
Love what you shared, Cheryl. I don’t want to get ahead of God. I want to follow close behind. xo
Lyli, we have a driver-in-training at our house, so I’m thinking a little more about the mechanics of driving these days. Your rules of the road are spot on … for actual roads and the road of life. I tend not to think about blind spots until I’m getting honked at too, but your words remind me of the importance of being proactive, not reactive. Have a blessed day!
Lois, praying for you during this season of “training” and “letting go.” It’s so hard!
“Stay in your lane, and keep moving down the path God has lovingly laid out for you.” This is such great wisdom and beautifully said. On a morning where I am feeling rushed and anxious… trying to get more done, quickly… this is the perfect post for starting my day. Thank you for the remind that it’s OK to slow down, stay in my lane, and keep trusting Him. Wishing you a blessed week!
Slow and steady. I am trying to learn and let go of my speed demon ways.
What a great analogy, Lyli. I especially love your last statement: “The best way to avoid a crash is to stay in your lane and move forward on the path that God has lovingly laid out for you.” So good. I want to stay in my lane, stay with my assignment!
I am prone to impatience sometimes — in the car and in life. I am trying to learn to be a follower, not a flighty wanderer.
Thought-provoking, dear Lyli. And I can’t help thinking that our blind spots morph and change over time, so we’ve gotta be vigilant and aware since the enemy of our souls is always looking around for who he can devour.
Great cautions and encouragements here today …
Yes, my friend. The mirror helps me with the changing scheme of the landscape. 🙂
Wise words…Lyli.
Stay in your lane, drive the road you are called to drive…
keep your heart focused on the path Has set for you.
If we do this, it solves so many of those little issues that could become big ones, doesn’t it?
I appreciate you.
Blessings,
Dawn
I am praying for God to help me to have a settled heart that is content in my lane.
I’ve done that on the road too, Lyli. Scary moments to think how close we come to death in our cars because of those blind spots. And yet, spiritually I do it as well, I’m sure. Thanks for the wake-up call to apply this lesson to ALL areas of life. Great post.
Well, I am glad to hear that I am not alone on this one. My driving skills have improved some with age, but I am still probably more in tune with the song on the radio than my surroundings.
What a great comparison! It is wise to look to God for guidance as He carefully steers us around dangerous hazards in the road before us. We need to remember to be alert and aware, never forgetting that “blind spot”!
Loved this, Lyli!
Bessings, Joan
I am thankful that He knows the way and helps me stay on the path.
Lyli, what a great way to connect real-life stuff with the heart. Great post, and a msg. that I bet will come to mind each time I pass another car. Thanks for sharing, Lyli. ((hug))
Much wisdom to be found in this post, Lyli. I love that our blind spots are never blind to Him. He lovingly protects, providing a “honk” now & then to keep us in our place. Wonderful insights, Lyli!
Yes, He does. I am so thankful.
What a wonderful message! Thank you so much.
Lyli,
Wow, my heart raced right along with you. Thanks for sharing wisdom and the reminder to be careful of our blind spots in all areas of our lives…oh, how we need the Spirit’s guidance…praying your friend will turn to God for help and wisdom at this difficult time…so hard to watch…((hugs))
Dolly, thank you for praying. That means so much to me. xo
Lyli, this is great! We all have blind spots. If we don’t have others friends looking out for us, we are sure to miss something coming. I’m so grateful God gives us community, people around us to see things that we may otherwise miss. Thanks for this reminder today!
I agree, Alisa. A friend in the seat beside you is so helpful in navigating the turns of life.
Lyli,
It’s so hard to watch our friends, family…and quite frankly…ourselves crash.
“…someone we love is about to crash. This is not the first smash up, and she’s worried for his safety.”
Beautifully said, and I know that helpless feeling of wanting to prevent the collision. Thankfully our God is good, faithful, forgiving, and gracious. And prayer is powerful.
Happy Thursday!
Megs
Yes, Meg, that is why she called. Please pray, she said. And, I am praying… praying for God to jump into the road and get him to turn around heading back in the right direction that leads to life and peace.
I seriously loved this! Your words are a reminder to stay the course and the way to do that is to stay focused on God. I have been distracted many times but God is always willing to embrace me over and over. What beautiful love we are surrounded with when we call God our father. Thank you for these words, Lyli! They blessed me!
Well said, Lyli! Thanks so much for sharing this. We all have blind spots that we need the Lord to show us!
Great advice, Lyli! Those blind spots sneak up on us if we aren’t being watchful and staying in our lane! Love it!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori