I’m a pretty good driver.  Never been in an accident and I count on one hand the number of traffic tickets I have received in nearly 50 years of driving.  Good driver or not, I find myself oozing through yellow lights more frequently than I used to. My best excuse for this bad driver habit is one of those rationalizations – you know, our “rational lies.”  I’m pretty sure if I were to hit the brakes when the light turns from green, that guy who has been riding my tail would end up in my trunk. I’m just running the yellow for safety’s sake.

The fact of the matter is that, some people follow too closely and have already hit the accelerator when the light first glowed yellow. I really could be in serious trouble if I used the time when light is yellow to come to a stop.

The PA Driver’s Manual says, “A STEADY YELLOW LIGHT tells you a steady red light will soon appear. If you are driving toward an intersection and a yellow light appears, slow down and prepare to stop. If you are within the intersection or cannot stop safely before entering the intersection, continue through carefully.”

See, I can’t stop safely. That’s why I continue through the intersection carefully rather than coming to a full stop.

If I’m honest with myself, however, I think the main reason my silver Honda oozes through those yellow lights (and even almost red) more often now than in years past is that, well, everyone else is doing it.  You can get away with it. PennDot and city transportation departments have lengthened the time the light is yellow.  They know what we’re up to and are helping us get away with it.  Why not? I’m in a hurry.

Running the yellow may not be a sin, but sin is lot like running the yellow.  For the Christian, God’s Word, the prayerful council of wise and faithful friends, the Holy Spirit dwelling in our regenerate hearts, all say “slow down, prepare to stop.”  We say, “I’m in a hurry, and, besides, everyone else is doing it.”

We approach the intersection of Gossip Road and Encouragement Way. Like a yellow light, the Word says slow down, stop, turn onto Encouragement Way.  Instead we punch the accelerator and drive straight down Gossip Road.  Ignoring the warning of faithful friends and our Spirit-tuned hearts, we speed headlong onto Selfishness Street when we ought to slow down and take Generosity Drive instead.

Those intersections on the road to discipleship are important. When a yellow light appears, slow down and prepare to stop.  Be sure to stay on the right way.  It tends to be narrow.

See you Sunday