On Monday, I decided it was time to make the drive up to Michigan. True to form, I ended up leaving hours later than I meant to, and found myself sitting in bumper to bumper traffic.
With no movement.
For hours.
"Wow," I thought to myself, "This is so cool. I get to sit in some of the most intense traffic in the country surrounding our nation's capitol. This is like living history. Am I lucky or what??"
Ok, maybe that was a lie.
Maybe my first reaction was some serious road rage- that intense hatred for all bright red blinking lights, particularly those snaking their way down the road in front of me for miles and miles with no end in sight. I'm pretty sure that whoever said the road to hell was paved with good intentions had never actually been there. I think the road to hell is going to be 495 during rush hour.
With construction.
And an accident.
And rubber- necking tourists.
And, hey, while we're at it, let's throw in some inclement weather.
I digress.
So I'm sitting in this traffic, and with nothing else to do, and I decide to scan the radio.
Static.
Commercial.
Sappy Christmas song.
Sappier Christmas song.
Trashy talk show.
Commercial.
Static.
"Hot" music... that's code for a song about sex, drugs or rock n' roll. Literally.
There's nothing decent on. I've never really loved the radio, but today I was absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of garbage on there. It's channel after channel of mindless distractions, which serve no purpose other than to keep your thoughts from your present circumstances until you get to new ones... where I'm sure more distractions will be ready and waiting.
And this is the American dream??
Where did we go wrong?
When did this happen?
What happened to the adventure in the world? Where are the men who don their armor to go slay the dragon and rescue the princess? Where are the women who make the whole room brighter with the tiniest twinkle in their eye?
When we spend all of our days distracting ourselves from reality, all we're left with are shells of bodies roaming the earth like dead men walking.
I'm not saying it's bad to have a job, or to drive to work, or even to listen to the radio.
But I do think it's time to remember that we are more than the miles we log or the songs we play. We walk this earth as beings created in the image of God, indwelt with His Spirit, with a destiny specifically designed for each one of us.
And that should give weight to our steps and purpose to our days.
With no movement.
For hours.
"Wow," I thought to myself, "This is so cool. I get to sit in some of the most intense traffic in the country surrounding our nation's capitol. This is like living history. Am I lucky or what??"
Ok, maybe that was a lie.
Maybe my first reaction was some serious road rage- that intense hatred for all bright red blinking lights, particularly those snaking their way down the road in front of me for miles and miles with no end in sight. I'm pretty sure that whoever said the road to hell was paved with good intentions had never actually been there. I think the road to hell is going to be 495 during rush hour.
With construction.
And an accident.
And rubber- necking tourists.
And, hey, while we're at it, let's throw in some inclement weather.
I digress.
So I'm sitting in this traffic, and with nothing else to do, and I decide to scan the radio.
Static.
Commercial.
Sappy Christmas song.
Sappier Christmas song.
Trashy talk show.
Commercial.
Static.
"Hot" music... that's code for a song about sex, drugs or rock n' roll. Literally.
There's nothing decent on. I've never really loved the radio, but today I was absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of garbage on there. It's channel after channel of mindless distractions, which serve no purpose other than to keep your thoughts from your present circumstances until you get to new ones... where I'm sure more distractions will be ready and waiting.
And this is the American dream??
Where did we go wrong?
When did this happen?
What happened to the adventure in the world? Where are the men who don their armor to go slay the dragon and rescue the princess? Where are the women who make the whole room brighter with the tiniest twinkle in their eye?
When we spend all of our days distracting ourselves from reality, all we're left with are shells of bodies roaming the earth like dead men walking.
Ephesians 5:11-15 MSG
Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.
Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!
So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!
I'm not saying it's bad to have a job, or to drive to work, or even to listen to the radio.
But I do think it's time to remember that we are more than the miles we log or the songs we play. We walk this earth as beings created in the image of God, indwelt with His Spirit, with a destiny specifically designed for each one of us.
And that should give weight to our steps and purpose to our days.
Hi Nats.
ReplyDeleteThis is the beginning of a new phase.
New dreams, new direction....
The American Dream is more than traffic, by the way. I think of it more as the freedom to choose what you do with your life. It can be a good thing, depending on the dreamer.
<3
Mom