So apparently if you drive the speed limit, you get better gas mileage… GO FIGURE?
See I recently made yet another road trip. It is kind of just what I do these days, always being on the go. I thought empty nest meant calmer, even quieter, but life is proving more active than ever these last couple of years. 
Never-the-less, as I’m heading out to visit one of the kiddos at their college town to help set up a new house (translated free labor for said kid), I decided to drive the speed limit the whole way.
Those who know me well realize this is unheard of and find yourself wondering have I lost my inner speed racer. I would love to tell you I had an overwhelming sense of any broken law being a mortal sin, but the reality is I heard their was a super crack down on speeding this particular weekend and I am most interested in not getting a speeding ticket. Although, it typically doesn’t slow me down. I’m the youngest in my family of siblings and thus fulfilling my “I’m the baby” stereotype, I rarely believe rules actually apply to me. (I know – insert eye roll. I am a flawed human.)
So what does this have to do with the price of tea in China, one might ask? I’m getting to that.
As I’m on the road and I begin to see the great gas mileage I was getting, I became excited to see how well I could let my car’s engine function. How, exactly, good could my gas mileage get? I mean it’s all South Georgia back roads anyway, who is going to care if I am not in the “fast lane”.
Then, as if God sat down in the car with me, I heard the resounding theme of my life come out loud and clear. “If you follow the rules, things are better”. Or better said, “There are blessings in obedience”. hmmmm – Go figure!?!
See God isn’t a God of “rules and regulations” but a God of blessings when we obey what He has set out for our protection. This rebel child can so much more clearly focus on the blessings. Protective obedience is necessary for our own good, not rigid “do what I say or else” rules. God is a loving Father with our best interest in mind, not a dictator for His own enjoyment. I doubt He enjoyed putting His son on the cross for our sins. He did that to save us from ourselves. We are all flawed humans.
If we confess our sins, turn to God and use our resources as intended, we can return more everywhere with our lives of blessing.
You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. Deuteronomy 5:33
Just like my car is more efficient when driven as intended, so may my life be for Jesus when lived in accordance with his laws.
Part of my personal testimony is the turning point in my life when I finally heard God respond to my desperation. I sensed so clearly Him saying, “I gave you an instruction book, read it.” I’m so thankful for these times in my life, still today, I know God’s message is gently nudging me back toward obedience.
In His Grip, Ashlee
Pray with me: Dear heavenly father God, thank you for correction and discipline. Thank you for loving us so much you gently, and sometimes not so gently, push us back toward obedience. Thank you for not giving up on my wild abandon of rules and acknowledging my heart’s desire is to serve you well, despite myself. Mold me, make me better for your kingdom’s glory. Help us all to see the areas we need to obey you so that we may receive your insurmountable blessings. Through all circumstances. Now and always. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Ashlee Gillis Vickers, CPC 