"Cruise Control"

"A driver is a king on a vinyl bucket-seat throne, changing direction with the turn of a wheel, changing the climate with a flick of the button, changing the music with a switch of the dial."
--Andrew H. Mal com

"Automobiles are not ferocious...it is man who is to be feared." 
--Robbins B. Stickle

In 1950, Walt Disney directed a Goofy cartoon entitled "Motor Mania."  Our story opens with Mr. Walker, a typical suburbanite, a man of intelligence and honesty, an upstanding citizen in the community.  But as he sits down in his vehicle, a strange phenomenon begins...Dr. Jekyll emerges into Mr. Hyde...Mr. Walker is now Mr. Wheeler, motorist.

A strong sense of power surfaces when we turn the ignition of our automobiles.  We are in control, the commander of a three thousand pound machine.  Acceleration creates a sense of euphoria as the landscape quickly passes outside the windows.  Goose & Maverick put it this way: "I feel the need, the need for speed!"  In terms of modern inventions, automobiles retain a lofty position at the top.  Oddly enough, I have discovered that automobiles reveal startling truths about us, our character, our integrity, our spiritual demeanor.

Like the cross around someone's neck, a chrome fish on an automobile bumper denotes an affiliation with Christianity.  Accordingly, we regard these drivers as Christ followers.  As fickle men and women though, our actions fail to coincide with our words from time to time.  And our driving tendencies tend to negate the symbol affixed to the car's rear.  Who among us hasn't cut someone off one time or another?  Who among us hasn't cast a dirty look to the adjacent vehicle?

A good friend recently told me about an unwritten law between motorcycle enthusiasts--waving to one another.  While newcomers may fail to grasp the meaning, seasoned veterans understand the importance of this symbolic gesture.  It is part of a deeper camaraderie, a movement by the hand that communicates four simple words: "I have your back."  Sadly, automobile drivers are less thoughtful, tending to be concerned exclusively with themselves.

It would be shallow and presumptuous to conclude that poor driving rests squarely on the operator.  While this is a significant element of the equation, outside forces play a continuous role.  Distractions including the radio, mobile phones, lipstick, and hamburgers frequently direct our attention away from the wheel.  Bumper to bumper traffic exacerbates the stress level further, perpetuating anxiety and fatigue.  With additional cars joining the highway on a daily basis, accidents become inevitable over time.  How do we manage this angst?

Peace is often a distant concept in our lives, a virtue that seems unattainable.  In fact, consider this thought for a moment: "We cannot create peace."  We can choose to love and hate, share and steal, forgive and accuse.  But despite our best efforts to still our minds and circumstances, the uncertainty of life cannot be tamed.   Peace is not the absence of conflict, but a providential rest in chaotic conditions.  Proverbs communicates these words: "A heart at peace gives life to the body (14.30)

Peace is a welcome hallmark to my vehicle.  My hope is that it will heighten my awareness of others, attuned to the unexpected pitfalls that arise in seconds.  I have chosen to forgo the chrome fish on the bumper; however, I have a small decal on the rear windshield.  The image displays a young boy kneeling at the foot of a cross.  While passing drivers may dismiss it as another callous and trite spiritual symbol, I hope it imparts this thought: as a student of Christ, I have raised the standard, chosen to pursue higher ground, rougher terrain, rigorous discipleship.

The Evangelical Environmental Network began a campaign in 2002 entitled "What Would Jesus Drive?"  Concerned with toxic pollutants and global warming, the EEN exists to increase awareness regarding public transportation, foreign oil dependence, and fuel efficient vehicles.  While increased knowledge of these dilemmas is noble and necessary, the campaign is absurd, dare I say embarrassing to Christ followers.  I believe choosing a vehicle is between God and the owner.  And ironically, consumers are choosing smaller, fuel efficient vehicles, the results of lingering problems over the last three decades.

I have concluded that driving can reveal insightful revelations about our spirit we may overlook.  This growth surfaces through spiritual attentiveness, a desire to mend shortcomings.  St. Paul invites us to "live at peace with everyone," in the supermarket, the office, the highway.  Kindness never returns void.  Finally, don't allow driving to become a chore, a monotonous routine.  Crack the windows and ease into the seat.  Spend some moments with God--pray and listen.  Turn the dial up and when you have the ability, push the button beside the steering wheel that allows the car to move independent from your foot...