Drivers and Other Annoying Things

[intro]I’m a work in progress. It’s sort of weird how it seems that the simple/everyday occurrences in life just seem to drive me up a wall sometimes.[/intro]

For instance, I tend to get very annoyed at other drivers. You know—the ones who insist on driving very slow in the FAST lane…for miles. Or the driver who, instead of slowing down to merge into your lane behind you, speeds up in order to change lanes, and causes you to apply your brakes so you don’t take out their bumper. I always assumed that this is reason cars come with a horn! Or the driver who turns on to the road right in front of you when they could have entered the road so much earlier. They make me slow down for them! JERKS!

Not only that, but the grocery shopper who insists on purchasing 40 items in the “10 Item ONLY” check-out lane. I often wonder, and frequently mutter under my breath, “Don’t they know how to read!” Anyway, at least I have the spirituality to not verbalize my disdain… thus far.

So, being a work in progress, as I was reading and studying the Scripture recently, my lack of patience and hypocrisy in this area of my life got my attention. I was reading and thinking about what we are told in Colossians:

You must make allowances for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.—Colossians 3:13

It’s not just a nice suggestion. It’s what we must do as a Christ follower. It’s what how I must respond as His representative.

I was reminded how, when others lack awareness—whether it be driving or shopping or whatever—it irritates me to no end. I get disgusted—even angry—when it seems that their lack of proper driving or shopping etiquette infringes on my time and space and inconveniences me. But I came to realize that when I make the same mistake or lack consideration of others (which I do), I want and expect the very allowance that I have difficulty providing others. I was reminded of how important it is to apply the Gospel truth—forgiving and making allowance for the mistakes that others make—to my own life, not necessarily for them to apply to me. In the little things. In the little annoyances. In the little decisions others make that I allow to irritate me so. Those choices that others make that annoy me. I don’t think I could even slightly call them sin. Just decisions they make that I feel infringe on my rights.

And what right do I have to get so upset when I also make dumb decisions—more than I probably am aware?

To the degree that I understand how much God has forgiven me—and then seek to apply that in my relationships and life situations in return—to that degree I am able to accept and deal with those irritating circumstances, and cut others the same slack I so desire for myself. Read Jesus’ story in Luke 18:21-35. It brings to light how we have the need to forgive others as we apply the forgiveness we already have from God.

It’s simple, really. Not easy, but simple. Because of the Good News, I don’t need to seethe when I feel my rights are being violated. I don’t need to cast the disgusted look or even ride their bumper. God’s expectation and desire for me is to make allowance for the faults of others as I know God does for me. It’s no surprise to Him that I make mistakes and sin. He died for those, past, present and future.

I’ll keep doing stupid and insensitive things. So will others. But I can offer the same understanding and forgiveness that God offers to me—over and over again. I’m glad he does. Others will also be glad that I am growing in doing the same.