Eyes On 57 | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Eyes On 57 | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terrie Ellington
07/08/15
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Eyes On 57

In a two car convoy from Arkansas to Illinois, I was driving the lead car with my husband, children, and parents and my brother was driving in the second car with his wife. Three hours out, we pulled into a gas station to fill up and take a bathroom break. There was only one restroom, so everyone was standing in line waiting to go in, when I saw my brother go to the refrigerated section and get a Red Bull energy drink.

Teasing him, I chuckled asking, “What’s wrong Bro? You can’t handle this long ride?"

He grumbled, “It ain't the long ride, it’s all that slow driving!”

Everyone heard our exchange and burst into a chorus of laughter at my expense, since I was the one driving the lead car.

I was thoroughly embarrassed, so I tried to cover my shame by saying, “But I’m going the speed limit. We’ve passed at least six or seven policemen and didn’t have to worry about getting a ticket.”

Undaunted by my comment, he replied, “But they give you five miles.” Everyone laughed again.

The Holy Spirit comforted me by bringing to my remembrance that I drive the way I do out of obedience to God to follow the laws of the land as commanded in Romans 13:1-5.

Speed limits are laws, not suggestions.

I realized that I wasn’t getting anywhere with him, so I said, “Okay Bro, I tell you what; you take the lead and we’ll see you when we get there.”

This time he backed down and said, “That’s okay. I know that’s just the way you are.”

He didn’t understand that it is God Who works in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure, or else I’d be speeding like those passing me by.

Since using my family to try to get me to disobey God by speeding didn’t work, Satan himself, attacked my mind on our return trip.

I was driving the speed limit at 65 miles/hour when I came upon a work zone, and the speed limit dropped to 45. So, I tapped the cruise control down to 45 miles/hour.

Everyone else in the car was asleep and I was singing along with a Gospel CD, when after a while I noticed in front of me, as far as my eyes could see, there was nothing but empty interstate. All the traffic in front of me had driven out of sight.

I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw my brother behind me and one 18 wheeler behind him. However, when I looked in the side view mirror, my jaw dropped. As far back as my eyes could see, there was traffic.

I immediately began to panic, gripping the steering wheel tightly, as a my mind was bombarded with negative thoughts: “What if I get a ticket for causing a traffic jam? What if I cause a wreck and someone dies? Should I pull over and let everyone by? But if I do, my brother will have to pull over and we’ll never get back on the road! What if...”

My thoughts were interrupted by a throbbing sensation in my right foot. When I glanced down, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me and I realized that I was subconsciously pressing my foot into the floor in an effort to speed up and get out of the way.

The Spirit of God came and ministered to me in my distress:

God: It’s a trick of the enemy, who wants you to be more concerned about the cares of the world than you are about obeying Me. Have you gotten a ticket, caused a wreck or killed anyone?

Me: No Lord, I have not.

God: Then cast down those negative imaginations and capture your thoughts, making them obedient to Christ. What does Christ say?

Me: Follow the laws of the land.

God: What is the law of the land?

Me: Drive 45 miles/hour.

God: Then drive 45 miles/hour.

Encouraged; I fixed my eyes directly in front of me on I-57 South and drove 45 miles/hour for the entire 7 mile work zone. I didn’t look in the side or rear view mirrors again, because that’s where the enemy came to attack my mind.

This is my testimony: The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9 (TNIV)

Non-fiction

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.