However, this had me thinking about a much larger issue that may just be a cause of the driving symptoms. This may be just plain selfishness. The symptoms are visible when someone speeds, or cuts another off because he or she wants to get ahead, get to where they are going faster, or any number of reasons. As many of those close to me already know, I am not a patient driver myself, and have many times felt sorry after I was irritated with a fellow motor vehicle operator. But in order to fix the symptoms, the cause must be dealt with, and Jesus does that very well in Luke chapter 10.
Unfortunately, selfishness is something inherent in each of us, as we try to "get ahead" or just survive in this crazy place (although some display it much less than others). The questioner in Luke chapter 10 wanted to appear very selfless, but Jesus knew his motives. The "expert in the Law" knew he had been found out when he showed that he knew the law, and the command to "love your neighbor as yourself," but not wanting to look the fool, he asked a second question: "who is my neighbor?"
Jesus simply replies with a parable. To be brief (you can go read the entire story if you want - Luke chapter 10), out of three men offered an opportunity to show kindness and mercy to an injured man, only the antagonist of the the injured man stopped and assisted beyond what was required.
So who is my neighbor? Effectively, Jesus answered, "everyone". So how does this look in the "real world"? John Piper elaborates on this quite eloquently:
"And with that Jesus cuts the nerve of every merely selfish lifestyle. All our inborn self-seeking is made the measure of our self-giving. Do we seek to satisfy our hunger? Then we must with a similar life-and-death urgency feed our hungry neighbor. Do we long for advancement in the company? Then we must seek out ways to give others as much opportunity and to stir up their will to achieve. Do we love to make A's on tests? Then we must tutor the poor student who would love it no less. Do we hate to be laughed at and mocked? Then never let there be found on our lips a slanderous word, but rather words of encouragement.” John Piper – “The Cult of Self and the Commandment of Jesus”
In my case, I think I have to try to be as gracious on the road as possible, and let others go by, cut in, or even be willing to drive slowly myself, if it helps and advances the cause of my neighbors with whom I share the open road.
