Sand Mountain Sermonette 27
Colossians 3:17
“Hit the Brakes, Louie!”
“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 3:17
Most everyone remembers the car in which they learned to drive. My car belonged to my dad. It was a 1965 Pontiac Bonneville that featured a white hard top, red exterior, white interior with split bench front seat, stacked headlights, and rear wheel fender guards. Although dad purchased it used, it was in excellent condition and a big-big car!
We lived in a single-brick home that featured a classic carport built adjacent the left side of the house accompanied by a thirty-foot driveway that ran straight from our house to the carport. The carport was just big enough to park the Bonneville. To the left of where the driveway met the carport was a two to three-foot shrubbery plant and beyond that plant several feet down between our house and our neighbor’s home was a classic 1960’s Ford Thunderbird that family had kept under cover for years.
Well, the big day came. I was fifteen years old and was seeking to obtain my driver’s learning permit. Recently my dad had been riding shotgun style with me as I practiced driving the Bonneville in areas with no traffic, but today was different. Dad had allowed me to drive on some of the connective streets on and near our residential section in which we lived. When it was time to come home, as I turned onto our driveway and straight on towards the carport, I must have been going too fast because Dad quickly shouted, “Hit the brakes, Louie!” “Hit the brakes!” But dad’s response scared me so much I hit the accelerator instead and as we blazed toward oblivion, dad was able to reach over and give the steering wheel a quick turn to the left allowing us to miss the carport, take out the shrub bush, and stop right smack-dab in the middle of where the Thunderbird has been setting! Notice, I said, “Had been setting!” What a blessing the owners had moved their car to another location just the day before! In the meantime, dad and I got out of the car and although dad was scared, he was fine. When my mom stepped out of the house to see what all the ruckus was about, the first thing she said was, “Oh!” “I never cared about that old bush anyway!” Just like a loving mom!
Every day, and usually several times a day, we Christians find ourselves at temptation’s corner where the tempter (the devil) is standing there in the intersection enticing us to make a wrong turn. So, what do we do? Sometimes we are afraid, so we speed up the pace without taking time to call on God; we just follow our impulses. Other times we choose to take the wrong turn for different reasons. But Christian remember, God your Father is there to take the wheel. He can steer you away from a path of destruction and from that path’s involving others you love. Often, it means hitting the brakes and asking the question drawn for our Scripture, “Can I do it in Jesus’ Name?” If not, then temptation is attempting to lead you the wrong way in what you are planning to say or do! Praise God for His word and for His Spirit. Thank you, Lord!
Pastor Louie