First Baptist Church of Herndon

Cruise Control

Linda Soller | Sep 22, 2014

Raise your hand if you like using the cruise control in your car. Keep your hands up I’m counting as fast as I can…. Okay it appears to be about 50/50, even though a few of you, and you know who you are, did not raise your hand. That result is very similar to the Do-Drops’ vote when I asked the same question during Sunday school. Next I asked why people like cruise control and the answers were varied, but consistency, automatic speed, and saves gas were the most popular. I, for one, am not a cruise control enthusiast. I’ll admit that is due in some degree to the fact that it would be a pain in the back for about 99% of my driving, which is local and at slower speeds. However, I don’t even use it on the highways because I feel it allows me to disconnect from my driving. I equate it to being on auto-pilot. I have no idea what I will do when all the cars drive themselves. The thought scares me. 

The first time I used cruise control on the highway I remember that I suddenly found myself riding up on the car in front of me and there was no other lane for me to go to. So I tapped the brake which disconnected the cruise feature, and also slowed the car. There was a split second, seemed like longer, before I realized that I needed to put my foot on the gas so the car behind me didn’t end up in my trunk. The experience was unsettling. I analyzed that my discomfort came from the difference in the way the situation was handled with cruise control verses how I would have handled it without the cruise control. First of all I never should have been so close to the car in front of me. The cruise control doesn’t recognize the subtle changes made by other drivers. Cruise doesn’t judge distance it controls speed.

Anyway, my point today isn’t about control, although it may sound like it. My point is about going through life with your cruise control set. Most of us have a routine, a comfort zone, and a way we like to do things. We may avoid doing things differently unless we are forced to. One day becomes the next and time slips away from us. It may be as simple as going to the grocery store on Saturday mornings to beat the crowds. I’m guilty of that, which in itself is no big deal. But when that routine starts to impact how I use my day, and keep me from volunteering, or helping a neighbor, or getting some much needed exercise, well then my cruise control life is in charge, not me. Don’t be fooled, being on cruise can impact your faith as well. When you don’t have time to pray, read your Bible, have a devotional, attend church or Sunday school, or some combination of those, who is to blame? Is it a case of there is no time or is it a case of not making the time? If your life is on cruise you may find it hard to adjust, change, deal with challenges, or even have fun. When your faith is set on cruise you may ignore God, feel lost, sliding away, or lose your focus.

There was a time not so long ago that I stopped at Starbucks every Sunday on my way to church. Even if I got to church later than I planned I acted/felt like I had rushed. In reality I made time to get coffee even if it made me late to church. One Sunday the challenge was given to think about how we dwindle money away. We were discussing giving to the church and how almost everyone thinks they can’t afford to give more, not another penny. I sat there and looked at my Grande Skim Extra Hot Latte and knew that wasn’t true. My cruise control life was costing me time and money. Both could be better spent. My cruise control faith was ignoring opportunities. I tapped my life brakes, considered my direction, made some adjustments to my course, put my foot on the gas and moved forward. I still grab a coffee now and then, but it no longer makes me late to church, and while those few coffee dollars alone won’t make huge a difference, who knows what will happen when they are added to other small contributions. I am focused and striving, using my head, heart, hands and feet to move forward. I am giving my cruise control button a rest, how about you? And you know who you are. Have a great week!  :o)    Linda