It’s one of those statements that stick, even after all these years: I was 21 and had just taken my driver’s test (it’s a complicated story and I’ve long since forgiven my brothers, may they rest in peace). I pulled back into the parking lot of the testing center, put the car in Park and turned off the engine. Long pause as the instructor looked over his notes. And here it comes: “Well, it’s nothing to write home about, but you passed.” Should I be ashamed or celebrate? Was I rebuked or congratulated? Should I say thank you or let him leave in disgust? While I was processing these thoughts, he wordlessly handed me my signed certificate and, without looking back, got out of the car and went back into the building. I chose to focus on the final two words: ‘You passed.’ I drove away smiling – to myself.
Those two words were lifechanging. I was a late-to-the-party driving adult. I could finally buy a car. The vast and thrilling privileges that came with, ‘You passed’ also came with major responsibilities, like making car payments and insurance payments and doing regular maintenance to keep my first car (’71 Chevy Vega) in good running order. The singular pleasure of driving came also with the awareness that other drivers were enjoying their ‘freedom’ too, not necessarily attentively, not necessarily sober (evidence: two totaled vehicles in first year). These were maturing events, causing me to see another side of my newfound joy of tooling around on four wheels. There were law-imposed restrictions. There were Canadian weather ‘events.’ There were eye-opening revelations that came with buying used cars in ‘excellent’ condition.
The opposite of the above happens when we discover Jesus’ love for us. Sure, there’s often (but not always or for everyone) an initial thrill at the newness. But whatever we know at the beginning is but a mini awareness of all that is to come! We are all drawn by the Holy Spirit in different ways, away from a variety of lifestyles and situations, away from a variety of destructive behaviors and relationships, away from unhealthy, self-directed thinking. And always toward the Kingdom and God and peace. A line from a Gospel song speaks a reality that takes time to fully own: ‘the One Who knows me best, loves me most.’
At the beginning of our Kingdom adventure, like newborn babies, we absorb as much as we can as fast as we can. i.e. A new dad might hold his infant son and talk to him with great enthusiasm about the Pro football team he’ll one day quarterback for, but jury’s out on how much of this gregarious sermon has been received. God, however, is aware of our weaknesses, our limitations, our undeveloped capacities, and He’s patient in His love toward us. The Apostle Paul is consistently using superlatives to define our inheritance, into which we grow during our entire lifetime. All that is ours reveals itself to be richer and fuller and deeper than we’d thought possible. It is of a beauty unmatched on the earth. It is an open-armed invitation waiting to be explored. The best part? There’s no test to pass. God chose us and has set us on His road – safe arrival guaranteed! PD
