Hi everyone,

I think I mentioned before that our oldest son is learning how to drive, and it’s been largely on me to teach him. And while I’ve been driving for decades, it isn’t easy to teach the muscle memory, the natural reactions to situations, the instinct that we just get from behind the wheel. Of course, that comes with experience, hence his required 60ish hours of driving time before taking his road test, but trying to put these things into words to teach someone is a feat in itself.

But the one thing that comes up often and I need to remind myself quite a bit, is that it’s ok to give up our right-of-way. I often say to him, “Do you want to be right? Or alive?”

The thing is, we all have rights and entitlements, the road is no exception. But once we misuse and abuse those rights, maybe even weaponize them, then problems arise. Like the action itself might not be wrong, but the principle in thinking that it can never be wrong, is.

I guess the point is that I sure hope he passes his road test. And I sure hope he turns out to be a good driver. Maybe the trick is to pay someone else to teach him…

Here are the readings for next week:
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
And a video of them being read:

We like to be right. I think that’s just human nature. But when that “being right” become a source of superiority or a way for us to identify as better than others, then there is a problem.

I think that was the original temptation in the Garden of Eden and at the core of how Jesus was tempted. Knowing what is good and evil isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but equating yourself with God because of it, is. Feeding yourself and seeing your own worth aren’t bad things, but using power in selfish ways is. Seeing God in the world isn’t a bad thing, but thinking that God’s purpose is only to cater to you and your needs, is.

The trouble is where we draw those lines. How can we tell the difference? What are the markers between what is right and wrong?

Well, I think a good starting question is to ask for whom are we doing such things? Are we acting out of a heart of service or a heart of self? Are we looking at how to better the whole situation or better just ourselves? And does it involve harming others?

They aren’t easy, don’t get me wrong, and we’ll likely make mistakes down the road. But I think it’s important that we keep in mind not the rules and regulations that we’re given because those can be bent easily to serve ourselves, but to focus on the compassion and mercy that we’re shown and see how it can be reflected onto others.

This journey isn’t an easy one, but I’m thankful that we can journey it together.

Have a great week, everyone!