These cars held their place, at their pace, which happened to be the right pace, a seemingly sloooooooow 40mph through most of the highway, so it felt. Until we moved here and the seemingly sloooooooow one lane highway was now our highway.
In our little town, there are hardly any traffic lights which means it takes great precision and caution to get across the mostly steady flow of vehicles. School buses and city buses make their stops along this small town highway. We must be careful and curtious traveling through town being aware of pedestrians, animals (iguanas, peacocks, ducks, Key Deer to name a few) and other vehicles trying to make their way to the other side.
40mph still seems too slow whenever I am running late (that hardly ever happens, lol) and when it is the time of day when there aren't many cars out and the open road is vast...you wanna go fast. But, there are also times when the 40mph seem too fast during high traffic times. Funny, now I find myself annoyed because people are pushing me to go faster. Oh how the tables can turn!
Now that this small town is my small town, I am thankful for those who have held their place and held their pace. I know just as the big city drivers attempting to "push" their way through have had their patience tested (I can testify to that truth), so has the patience of the locals (I can also now testy to that as truth!) been tested. Now as a local resident, I know the roads, I know the community, I know the cautions to be heeded, and that is why I will hold my place, and my pace. We, the locals, are the pace setters for this community. We wisely hold our place and our pace, because it is for the common good. "One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless." Proverbs 14:16
I believe God instructs us throughout Scriptures to be Pace Setters. "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us." Titus 2:7-8 He tells us to be wise, guard our ways, encourage one another and sharpen one another, mentor and teach the younger generations His Ways. God sent Jesus as our Pace Setter. He shows us The right Way, Romans 8:28, for the good of those who love Him. He held His place, and went His pace.
As we mature in our faith (just as in life), our understandings, knowledge, and history strengthen our faith, our beliefs and our resolve. Wisdom is our hope, setting our place and pace in this life. Wisdom lays foundations which are thicker, roots that are deeper and faith without boundaries. We are not as easily "pushed" around, tossed to and fro.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Bless the "local" Pace Setters in this world! The ones who bless our lives with accountability, teaching us and mentoring us in The Word. Those who step out and speak out in faith daily, walking in a way that is pleasing to God, and not man. Bless those who are strong and courageous in this life. They seem so few and far between. Some of us are trying to find our place but have no pace, and some of us have a steady pace but in the wrong place. Oh, to be in the right place, at the right pace, to steady a shaking world, to keep things moving in one direction when everyone else is trying so hard to get around you. Don't you wish you could be a Pace Setter too?!? For the glory of God?!? I can't help but think, as a Christ Follower, aren't we all called to be a Pace Setter, for the good of our "community" in a watching world...and for each other, as iron sharpens iron?
Lord my God, You are the King of kings, our Righteous Ruler and Ultimate Authority over all things, people and principalities. I praise Your Holy Name. Thank You God for the example of Your Son, Christ Our Lord, as The Ultimate Pace Setter in this world. May we too be found as Your faithful followers, and leaders, Lights in the darkness and Salt of the earth. Keep us strong Holy Spirit, leading us in the Way of righteousness for Your Name's sake. Lead us away from temptation to conform into this dying world and renew a right and clean heart of endurance and strength within us. Be our Shield and Shepherd against the folly of evil one as he seeks to turn us away from You. Give us wisdom as we seek Your face through faith as we grow in knowing You personally. Guard our thoughts and steady our resolve. Set our place. Set our pace.
Thank You Lord for those who have boldly and courageously chosen to be a Pace Setter in Your Name, to show us our place at The Cross and teach us the pace of Your Spirit. Those who stand as one of Your "locals" and hold their place at The Cross, moving at the pace of the Holy Spirit. Bless them and use them to teach those of us who desire to be stronger and more courageous, for we believe You are with us wherever we go and it is our desire to walk in a way that brings honor to You. Forgive us when we get out of pace with You, or when we choose selfish ways. Our Rock, our Redeemer, our Refuge and Resolve, our place is with You. Strength and quicken our pace with Yours, amen.
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