My Wasteful Speed
Radars
By Lexi Ellis
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is
good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing
honor.
Romans 12:9-10 (ESV)
There once was a portable speed radar placed right in front of a
stop sign. As car after car approached, the device kept blinking zero. While
amusing, it seemed a complete waste and misuse of resources. It wasn’t needed
and it wasn’t doing the job it was designed to do - - to slow speeding people
down.
I realized there are many things in my life like that could be
wasteful speed radars sitting next to a stop sign. First, what do I worry and
dwell on - - spend all my time and energy and resources on - - that are really
a complete waste? What anxieties actually prevent me from doing the job I was
designed to do - - to proclaim the saving grace of my Savior, and love others
like He loved. These things I spend so much time and energy on…could they
potentially be used in a better way?
Secondly, often my attitudes and actions are like speed radars.
The way I think and act turn into missed opportunities to be like Christ. Just
like the speed radar should have been placed elsewhere to be effective, my
attitudes and actions are often misplaced. Is the tone I use with a student a
wasteful speed radar or helpful and compassionate? Is the attitude I have
towards my husband a wasteful speed radar or respectful and “partnering”? Are
my actions towards my family and friends a wasteful speed radar, or uplifting
and supportive?
Finally, when we enter into a relationship with Him, we are
equipped by the Holy Spirit; we are given an incredible resource…God in us! And
we’ve been given His timeless Word, a way He communicates to us. Yet, so often
I do not yield to His guiding and allow His Word and His Spirit to work through
me. These incredible resources end up like that wasteful portable speed radar
in front of the stop sign if I don’t use them!
I realized there are many wasteful speed radars: my worries,
actions and attitudes; my ignoring of God’s Spirit and Word. And yet, we serve
a forgiving and compassionate God who desires our acknowledgement of our
wasteful speed radars coupled with our repentance. While I see I have a whole
lot to work on, I have a big God to work in me. I am thankful for the reminder
that I need to be constantly working on adjusting my misplaced and wasteful
speed radars.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What are your wasteful speed radars - - 1. worries, 2.
actions or attitudes or 3. ignoring God’s Spirit or Word?
GOING FARTHER:
Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin.
Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s
Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
