Speed Limits

Drivers are not supposed to exceed speed limits. Through years of traveling throughout the United States, 80 MPH is the highest speed limit I have seen. That was in Texas. I read that there is another road in Texas that allows drivers to travel at 85 MPH. That is the fastest a driver in the United States can legally go. 

So, my question is this: If we are expected to obey speed limits and are subject to being ticketed if we disobey them, then why are the speedometers in our cars set much higher? Why do we have the ability to drive 100 MPH if doing so is against the law?

I honestly have not been able to nail down a reasonable answer to that question. But it did make me ponder a great gift that God gives every human being on the planet: Freedom of choice.

There are laws in the Bible that God expects us to abide by. Sometimes, they are called commandments. Does God force us to obey His laws? Absolutely not. He presents us with His laws which He designed to keep us and other people safe. Then, He allows us to choose whether or not we will obey or disobey His laws. He gives us the option to make the right decision or the wrong decision. 

Moses relayed God’s invitation to His people in Deuteronomy 30:19, saying “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Joshua later told the people, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

In our relationships with others, we need to be careful that we don’t try to remove their choices by using intimidation, giving them guilt trips, or shaming them into doing what we want them to do. Even if our motives are pure and what we advise will improve their lives, they have to make their own choices. Even God does not force people to serve Him if they don’t want to.   

Each day, we make choices. Yes, we can exceed the speed limit but we will be much better off if we don’t. If everyone obeyed the laws of the land, there would be a lot less accidents, injuries, and deaths.

Can you take this principle and apply it to something in your own life? Have you been exceeding the speed limit, i.e., disobeying God’s law in some way? 

Does it ever annoy you when you are doing the speed limit but other drivers are disregarding it? Today, you are receiving a reminder to obey God regardless of whether anyone else is or not. It matters less what others do and more what you do. 

If you don’t know God’s laws, read the Driver’s Manual: The Bible. You don’t have to guess what God expects of you. Just as driving privileges come with responsibilities, life also has privileges and responsibilities. Let’s make more responsible choices. Choose life! Choose to serve the Lord. You’ll be glad you did.