"Cruise Control"

 

“Cruise Control”

 

One of the most welcome conveniences in today’s cars is cruise control. This maintains a constant speed as we drive on open highways. It was invented in 1948 by Ralph Teetor, a blind mechanical engineer who became frustrated by constantly changing speeds as he rode with his lawyer. The system, called “Speedostat”, was first used in the Chrysler Imperial in 1958 and was soon adopted by other manufacturers. It has a number of advantages including keeping to speed limits, avoiding driver tiredness and fuel economy. But it also has its down side, most notably coping with hazardous road and weather conditions. But the percentage of vehicles having it as part of its bells and whistles is constantly increasing world-wide.

When I turn the system on I’m giving some measure of control over to something else but I can reclaim it easily by turning it off. While this usually works well with driving it doesn’t in my walk with Christ. The Apostle Paul directs his readers (including us today), “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” (Ephesians 5:18, NLT). We could replace the wine example with overindulgence in food, hobbies, sports or anything else that threatens the Holy Spirit’s full direction in our lives.

Those of us who are long-time believers run the risk of putting our lives on “cruise control” and coasting rather than being fully engaged in worship, growth and service. Jesus addressed the Laodicean church about this danger when He said, “I know…that you are neither cold nor hot…So, because you are lukewarm…I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16). Our Lord’s friend and apostle wrote, “…Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18). (The original Greek verb is a present imperative which might be rendered, “Continue to grow….”) Paul picks up on this thought in his words from house arrest in Rome: “…Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6. emphasis added). So it’s God’s desire to work in us throughout our lives but we must “…yield (ourselves) unto God….” (Romans 6:13, KJV) for this to happen.

Galatians 5:16 challenges us to “live by the Spirit….” With the struggles of today’s society this can be tough—it’s hard to stand for the right when the wrong is popular—but we can say with Paul, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, emphasis added), And as we pray “we…find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). So rather than submitting to “cruise control” let’s give ourselves to Spirit control. Which holds more promise?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan (with helpful input from Karen)