Confessions: A 3 Month License Suspension

 

Confession time …

 

Right now I am in the middle of serving a 3 month driving license suspension.

 

Where I live in Australia, there is a demerit point system for driving offences such as speeding, driving through a red light, etc. If you accumulate 12 points or more in a 3 year period of time you lose your license for 3 months. 

 

I have been on 9 demerit points for a few years now and I have been driving exceptionally carefully, usually right on the speed limit using cruise control pretty much all of that time. Unfortunately, I received a red light ticket coming home from speaking to our Manningham congregation late December 2015 (doing the work of the Lord!). [To me a yellow light means “Hurry up, you still have time!” but obviously the traffic gods have a different definition] I even ordered the photo but sadly, the camera never lies (see above). That put me at 12 points. I could have taken a ‘grace period’ extension of 12 months but if I received only 1 demerit point in that period of time I would receive a 6 month license suspension. Too risky, from my perspective. 

 

So, I am arranging the help of some friends to drive me to and from work at the church office, as well as weekend church meetings. Once this 3 month period is over, I go back to 0 demerit points. All my driving sins will be washed away. Yay! 

 

I shared this story with the church in this year’s Mother’s Day message. As I mentioned at the time, no doubt some people are shocked to hear this, as they expected me to be more angelic in my behaviour. A pastor should be an exemplary driver! Other people have showed more empathy, many of whom have their own accumulated demerit points 🙂 

 

Life provides us with many lessons, from both our successes and failures.

 

No doubt, I need to learn to SLOW down. This is not easy … especially for busy, adrenaline-addicted junkies.

 

I am more dependent on others now but I am enjoying spending some extra time with family and friends, who are helping me by driving me around. 

 

Also, I am not in control now. As a leader, this is not easy, because I am used to influencing things all the time. Right now, I am out of the driver’s seat and into the passenger seat. In my Bible reading the other day I read this in Luke 9:23 in the Message Bible: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat — I am.” That’s me. I have to trust and be a patient passenger. Someone else (God in his providence) is driving and leading the way in my life. This is a vital lesson for me, especially at this time in my life with some big decisions and changes ahead.

 

Thanks for your prayers.