It happened this morning. Yes, this morning as I was driving to the study.  I was on the highway not one-half mile from my house. I was approaching the only traffic light in my town.  I decided to turn to the right and check the post office, so I reached down to take the key off my key ring.

Carefully, while still looking at the road and checking to see that the light does not change, I put on my turn indicator and reach to my keys that are in the ignition. I used my thumb nail to separate the key ring and begin turning it to remove the key ring from the ignition key. I wanted to leave the truck running so the cab would warm up while I was in the Post Office. As I manipulated the key ring, all the warning lights on the dash board lit up and the engine became eerily quiet. I had turned off the engine! No power steering, no power assisted brakes, but at least Creedence Clearwater Revival was still playing over the speakers.

I had no power from the engine to transport me to my destination. I was still headed in the right direction, but without a driving force, I was losing momentum. I was slowing down. My forward progress would eventually stop. Not a moment to panic, I had to think. I shifted to neutral and restarted the engine, put the transmission back into drive, and turned toward the Post Office.

As I continued my commute, I thought more about my little incident. a couple of things came to mind. 1) don’t try to remove a key while you are driving. 2) This might make a good story for The Morning Drive to talk about dependence upon God.

Paul says:

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:19)

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

The Hebrew writer says:

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

There is a direction my life should go. A direction that leads me to my home in heaven. But I do not have the power on my own to get there.  But when I put my life in God’s hand through obedience to the good news of salvation through Christ Jesus the Lord, God’s Grace empowers me to live a fruitful Spirit filled life (Gal 5:22-23).

– Scott

BTW, my PO Box was empty this morning. I did all that for nothing!