Rat Race
Barbara Brown Taylor tells the story about a friend coming to visit, when she served a church in the North Georgia hills. Her friend had never been to her house and she got lost along the way. Before long she was late. So she started speeding, racing along trying to follow an outdated map. She made the mistake of going through a town with a speed trap and was stopped by the local police. Taylor’s friend tried explaining that she was lost and was late for an appointment. "I know I was speeding, but I’ve been lost for the last 40 minutes and I cannot find Tower Terrace anywhere on this map." The policeman asked a question that has been ringing in my ears ever since I read it: "Well, I'm sorry about that ma’am, but what made you think that hurrying would help you find your way?"
Great question. So what is the answer? We Americans love to hurry on our way, but I’m not sure we always know where we are going. I asked a visiting student from Mexico, currently being housed by one of our families, to tell me the one major cultural difference between here and there. “You Americans live so fast,” was her answer.
As one who only asks for directions under gunpoint (or the glare of a certain passenger, which is a fate worse than gunpoint), I understand the impulse to drive quickly looking for that landmark which will orient you. But I also know that stopping to look carefully at the map, or to ask directions, is the wise way to find your way. This is part of what we do every Sunday.
I wonder if part of the activity, the hurried over-stuffed lives we lead, is covering the fact that we are lost. We’re not quite sure where to find the purpose and meaning we want, so we fill our time with activities. But what makes us think that hurrying will help us find our way?
As William Sloan Coffin said, “Even if you win the rat race you’re still a rat.”
“Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness…” I don’t think that seeking is a frantic glance right and left as you speed down the road. I think it’s an intentional looking at the map Jesus provides in his principles and person. “Love your neighbor, love God.” It’s hard to love anyone who is eating your dust.
Scott
P.S. Please join me in expressing gratitude to Raunda Ward for her years of faithful service! And pray for her in these months that she is student teaching and preparing for her new career. And join me in welcoming Maria Jones, who has now started and will overlap with Raunda one week. Welcome aboard Maria… “Bon Courage” Raunda!
Great question. So what is the answer? We Americans love to hurry on our way, but I’m not sure we always know where we are going. I asked a visiting student from Mexico, currently being housed by one of our families, to tell me the one major cultural difference between here and there. “You Americans live so fast,” was her answer.
As one who only asks for directions under gunpoint (or the glare of a certain passenger, which is a fate worse than gunpoint), I understand the impulse to drive quickly looking for that landmark which will orient you. But I also know that stopping to look carefully at the map, or to ask directions, is the wise way to find your way. This is part of what we do every Sunday.
I wonder if part of the activity, the hurried over-stuffed lives we lead, is covering the fact that we are lost. We’re not quite sure where to find the purpose and meaning we want, so we fill our time with activities. But what makes us think that hurrying will help us find our way?
As William Sloan Coffin said, “Even if you win the rat race you’re still a rat.”
“Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness…” I don’t think that seeking is a frantic glance right and left as you speed down the road. I think it’s an intentional looking at the map Jesus provides in his principles and person. “Love your neighbor, love God.” It’s hard to love anyone who is eating your dust.
Scott
P.S. Please join me in expressing gratitude to Raunda Ward for her years of faithful service! And pray for her in these months that she is student teaching and preparing for her new career. And join me in welcoming Maria Jones, who has now started and will overlap with Raunda one week. Welcome aboard Maria… “Bon Courage” Raunda!
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