I’ll admit it. I often drive too fast. I rationalize it, which is my second strike. I haven’t had many speeding tickets or accidents…but it can only be because of grace. If I got what I deserved, I’d be broken – either in bank account or body!

There are exceptions to my speeding – times I’m actually uncomfortable with those speeding around me. One is a road I’ve travelled many times in Colorado. It’s narrow and links several communities, so it’s busy. And the speed limit is 70 mph. Of course, many vehicles are travelling faster, and I feel a bit pushed and smothered by the large trucks and speeding SUVs and sports cars.

I was on a winding road in Oklahoma with a speed limit of 65 mph, which might have been fine on a 4-lane divided highway, but this was two lanes, and cars were flying around corners. It’s not difficult to cross the center line with those tight, hilly curves. I decided I didn’t care if other drivers got irritated with my reduced speed.

I rarely speed when travelling because I’m looking for turns and signs (and Sonic or Panera or Starbucks)…

I’m rationalizing again. Telling you the times I don’t speed to compensate for the times I do. But as I drove today, I thought of how driving and the speed limit are like life.

How often do you speed ahead instead of taking life at the speed God intends? In what situations do you tend to charge ahead? (…and perhaps even rationalize it!)

When do you hold back? In what situations are you hesitant to go the speed God intends?

What are the potential costs of going under or over the speed limit of God’s plan?

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am.” Luke 9:23a (The Message)