Tuesday With Teri

          There is a tunnel which connects Hampton, Virginia with Virginia Beach.  I am not certain how long it is, but I know it runs below the Chesapeake waters.  It is known for being the source of traffic backups for those who must utilize it regularly.  This last weekend we were surprised to have passed through it without any trouble, especially since it was a holiday weekend.  I heard my husband and his friend, a Virginia Beach resident, discussing the tunnel phenomenon.  One of the reasons for traffic backups in and around the tunnel is the result of unnecessary braking.   People tend to tap their brakes when entering the tunnel.  This creates a chain reaction of slowed traffic and ultimately leads to backups down the road. 

          This got me thinking.  Why do we tap the brakes before entering the tunnel?  Are we fearful for what may be inside the tunnel?  What if there was a leak and the tunnel is full of water?  What if there is an accident or stopped car inside the tunnel?   If drivers could enter the tunnel with confidence and keep their pace, the impact on their commute and that of many others would be positive.  Keeping pace is important.

          We had traveled to Virginia Beach so I could participate in a half marathon.  Keeping pace is part of my training.  I am a novice/slowish runner.  I know the pace I must keep if I am to finish my race.  If I let myself get caught up with the faster runners, I will run too fast and tucker out long before the finish.  If I let myself get discouraged, slow down too much, or fail to push myself when I feel like stopping, I would not finish the race.  I have to keep my pace. 

          Do we tap our brakes unnecessarily, when God has called us forward?  Do we hesitate to follow Him out of fear?  What would be the impact if we kept going at the pace He has set, instead of following with trepidation?

          Do we allow ourselves to get caught up with the crowd, doing too much when it is not what God has called us to do?  Many of us have experienced the discouragement or burn out from doing too much at one time.  Likewise, it is just as easy to settle into life and not see the need to push ourselves past a challenge.  Finding the pace God has set for us, and keeping it, would make a difference in our lives and those around us as well.

          In Colossians 3:16-17 we find 4 things that are helpful “pace setters”.

     1. Be comfortable with God’s Word.

      2. Be careful with your words, teach and guide one another.

     3.   Be thankful to God always.

     4.    Remember that everything you do is for God.  He is your audience.

“Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with faithfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3: 16-17