The Speed of Life
Early one morning, I was headed to a men’s Bible Study, listening to a devotional as I calmly drove through town. (all sounds very Christian, right?)
But then, my calm was quickly interrupted when an aggressive driver sped up to my bumper, not liking my “speed limit” pace.
He honked and rushed around me as though I were crawling.
My next thoughts were not godly.
“How dare this guy?
Who does he think he is?
What an idiot!
He deserves jail!”
I felt my anger rise, and I shot up to a 9 on the frustration scale. His disrespect, attitude, and arrogance really ticked me off.
But why?
Why did I allow his actions to affect my inner peace with God?
This poem is a response to that morning’s hurry and a lesson for my heart.
The Speed of Life
When Anger Steals Your Peace
The speed of life runs over me
Causing all my calm to flee
Traffic at six-thirty-five
Will I reach my place alive?
/
You drove right through the yellow light!!!
My calm dissolves; now, should I fight?
It's now my turn to move ahead!!!!
Angry people, I so dread!
Yet, when I pause and see my state
I’m mad like him; I took the bait!
/
But why do I give up my peace?
My joy so quickly seems to cease
Is my will and pride that strong
That one lone driver in the wrong
Can shatter all my time with Thee?
Lord, help my anger now to flee
And let me know what wrecks my calm
My soul, it needs your healing balm
/
Show me now what drives my will
Help me turn to You and yield
Oh Lord, renew my heart just now
That Holy fruit would bloom somehow
Through this feeble heart of mine
So at Your table I might dine.