When I first started this blog, I wanted it to be more comprehensive than just Bible stuff.  The Bible is glorious, wonderful, and the clearest revelation that we have from God about God. But everything in life ultimately points us to Him, so today I’m taking us on a little side path: Atlanta’s driving culture.

Now, I grew up in Atlanta, so I’m speaking as an insider here. Things have changed in the last 20 years. When I was learning to drive, 285 (the highway that forms a circle around Atlanta) was colloquially called Atlanta Motor Speedway. Now, it’s more likely to be called a parking lot. There are other changes too, but one thing hasn’t changed: my attitude when I’m driving is a deep and sometimes disturbing reflection of my true character.

But sometimes the refrains I’m muttering (or yelling) at other drivers from the safe confines of my car are actually helpful life lessons that could (if I was paying soul-attention) point myself and others to Jesus. There are several that I find myself saying with some frequency. In this post, I’ll focus on the saying I most often tell other drivers in Atlanta.

Decide what you’re doing and do it!

This lovely line is a response to those folks who are lane-straddling, or going 3 miles per hour while they check their GPS or chat on their phone or what-have-you, or are hesitating at an intersection for some unknown-to-me reason.

Now, this is also true in life. So many times, I have been stalled out, trying to figure out what exactly I’m going to do. I find it in my daily tasks (do I want to eat something, or go to bed, or watch another episode? I think I’ll just sit here…), and I find it in my big life decisions (this has been particularly true for me when on the job hunt – so many options! What do I pursue?? I think I’ll just sit here…).

I was struck by something recently. When the Israelites are following Moses out of Egypt, and they’re fleeing from the Egyptian army who is hot on their tail, Moses tells the Israelites, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

In the VERY NEXT VERSE, God says to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!” Problem is, their backs are up to the sea. God goes on: “Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the waters so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.”

I was familiar with both of these verses, but it only recently hit me that they are in the same scene of a story, right next to each other!

It seems that the take-away is: you don’t have to be paralyzed by your choices. Take the step in front of you, and do it confidently knowing that the Lord is at work. And in your small daily choices – if your choices all honor God, your neighbor (ahem: roommate, spouse, kids), and your own body, just decide what you’re doing and do it!