Listen & Obey, and be so glad that you did!

Several times on the road, while texting or checking a map or viewing an email, I have noticed how gradually irresponsible I have become about using my phone while driving. It’s also frightening how invincible I feel while doing it. I have known that I needed to be more careful, but I just pushed away the idea that I could be in an accident and kill my own children or someone else or myself. That wasn’t very likely to happen, right? So, I continued being, well, stupid.

About two weeks ago, out of the clear blue I suddenly felt like the Lord was speaking to me. Plain as day and as unexpected as snow in July, I had the thought, “Don’t be busy on your phone while you’re driving.” I knew it was the Holy Spirit.

While this prompting from the Lord to not be distracted on my phone while driving was surprising at that moment, I immediately felt the importance of it, and I thanked God for this intervention and help. I determined in my heart to follow what He said, and I knew then that I would no longer have a problem giving up “the habit” of using my phone in irresponsible ways while driving. My loving God was my motivation!

During the next two days, I kept my phone handy in the car for taking calls, but I didn’t use it for any other reason. I felt much safer, and at the least, more responsible. Then, on the third day, I was driving down the road, when I heard the cute little ding of a text coming through. Rather than grab my phone, I kept my eyes on the road and stuck with my resolve. Not three seconds later, an elderly man who had just crossed the road in front of me, suddenly turned around and walked back into the middle of my lane to pick up some money that had fallen out of his pocket. I had to brake to keep from hitting him, and he never even saw me approach. I know without a doubt, I would have hit him if I had responded for a second to the friendly sound of my phone.

I don’t believe that not hitting that man (thank you, Jesus!) that day was the only reason God wanted me to keep from staring at my phone on the road, so I am continuing in my efforts to be responsible. But it was a timely and very critical reminder of the importance of listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit.

I’m so glad God cares about us, speaks to us, and directs us. Without Him, I wouldn’t have changed my behavior, and only God knows what may have happened to that man or to anyone else on another day. Who we are as Christians is molded by our love for the Lord. Lives are lived and lost because of the way we live our lives. Whom better to walk through it with than our Creator and precious Savior who is ever present in the believer’s life and is desiring that everyone will know Him.

While not being distracted on the phone is a great course of action, the real lesson here is the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit. Whatever, wherever, whenever God tells you, just obey. No one knows what is best for us and those around us more than our awesome God! 

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”  – Luke 6:46

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25