Double Nickel

Check your 'Speed-O-Meter'.

It's in your car just over your steering wheel. It's the gauge that measures your travel rate...or in other words...how FAST you are going! Your speedometer is supposedly to line up with the number posted on the SPEED LIMIT signs that dot highways, streets and interstate routes. When you extend the needle past the limit of law, (Speed Limits are not suggestions, you know) you risk a very real possibility of having a face to face with Mr. Law.

Mr. Law always extends the courtesy of announcing his determination to have a personal chat by flashing lights and a screaming siren, (looks and sounds much like the club you just left). You are invited to begin a personal conversation with Mr. Law by responding to the question; "Do you know why I just pulled you over?"

Internally you are conflicted. How can you appear innocent while fully aware that you are guilty as all get out? "Why no, Mr. Law...but I am glad that we have this chance to become friends! How's your wife and kids?" Anything to distract from the facts...but the real fact is that in just a few moments we will be signing off on a document of personal incrimination, AND...we get to have a copy as a souvenir! Joy of joys!

"The the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He walked in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden." Genesis 3:8

The first time I met Mr. Law personally I had been racing to Auburn University from Mobile, Alabama where I was a college student. I wanted to hurry to see my lady, (now my bride of 31 years) and was ticketed for going just a tad too fast. Mr. Law asked me if I could not read. After all, I had crested what he called the 'Double Nickel'...the Speed Limit of 55 miles per hour, which was posted all over Interstate 65 in plain view. I was embarrassed. I had been caught. I just wanted to hide.

God is not 'Mr. Law', but He has limits that are in our best interest to abide by. Those boundaries are actually gifts that provide for the fulfillment that every law breaker thinks is on the other side of disobedience. When our guilt is obvious, we run for cover, make excuses and even have the audacity to blame others for our actions, (Adam and Eve did that very well). We avoid God, even when He knows our condition and moves toward us with steps of loving reconciliation.

If in any area of your life you are exceeding 'Double Nickel' in your thoughts, attitudes and choices...you know it. Instead of avoiding the facts, receive the Forgiver who, in spite of the facts is offering terms of peace. He will sign the guilt document for you...He has done this with the ink of His blood.

"Where sin increased, grace increased all the more." Romans 5:20