Representing

As I was driving home tonight from a dinner date squeezed between my doctor's appointment and my husband's evening class I watched in my rear-view mirror as a car speed down on me and then tailgated me to a stoplight.  After we both turned right from a one lane road onto a two lane road.  This car sped around me to pull into a nearby coffee shop.

What amazed me as I watched this person break the law multiple times was the large cross hanging from their rear-view mirror.

The Bible says:

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 
Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.  For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience."  Romans 13:1-5

I've always believed that unless the law is completely contradictory to God's law (such as found in Acts 5:27-29) we are to obey government laws, including traffic laws.  Now, trust me I am in no way perfect in doing this.  I often catch myself doing the "five miles over" thing.  When I catch myself doing that, I always readjust myself.

But back to my story, what are your thoughts about people who represent Christ with crosses, ichthys, bumper stickers for Christian radio stations, etc on their cars then race around town disobeying traffic laws?

For me, I liken it to someone who wears Christian apparel or a cross necklace then walks around dropping "f-bombs" or other behavior that is contradictory to the Gospel.  I see it as a stumbling block to my brother or sister in Christ or to a seeker who may be thinking about coming to church.  That's why I personally don't have anything on my car.  I'm not ashamed of the Gospel or Christ, I'm just aware that my behavior behind the wheel may affect another person if I have a ichthys on my bumper and I cut them off or speed around them (not that I do that).

Rollercoaster Ride

I haven't posted in awhile and I struggle not to feel like a failure at this.  Then I take a step back and remind myself that "this" isn't for fame, it isn't for recognition for myself.  It's for God and for the tiniest little off-chance that it may help someone, somewhere in the deep frontier of the Internet.

I haven't been posting because my fibromyalgia has been flaring.  "Flaring" is what people with chronic illness call it when our disease, disorder, syndrome, etc. suddenly gets worse for a period of time before leveling back off to the norm for us.  Mine flares up for several reasons such as when I'm sick, changing weather, stress or changing medicine amongst other things.  Right now its a mixture.

If anyone has ever been to the Tri-Cities in Spring, then you know that the weather can never make up it's mind.  It will be cold and rainy then five minutes later you will be sweltering in the heat.  Plus my doctor's are playing around with my medicines.  That always calls for some interesting times.

The bonus to this is, I have had to lean on Christ hard the past couple of weeks to make it through.  He truly is my Rock and my foundation.