Brake LIghts
Three days ago I was driving in Winnipeg. It was mid-afternoon and the traffic was starting to increase. I was on a road that is technically one lane but near a main intersection becomes two lanes. As I approached the intersection, someone beeped at me. I thought, "Oh no, I didn't move over enough to give them room in their lane!" I looked at them and smiled and the woman driving the vehicle (which was now beside me) indicated that she wanted me to roll down the window so she could say something. I did it.... unsure what she would say.
What she told me surprised me. "You don't have any brake lights," she said. "There is the one on the top but the two on the sides are burnt out," she continued. "Thank you!" was my reply and off we went as the stop light turned green.
I drove home a little more cautiously than normal and then the next day dropped off the vehicle at Canadian Tire to fix the problem. As I waited for my father-in-law to pick me up from Canadian Tire, a question arose in my mind: how would I have known my brake lights didn't work if that stranger hadn't told me? What danger did she save me or others from?
I then translated it to my personal life and considered how do I realize when something is wrong or unsafe in me? What danger could other people and myself be saved from through the feedback and input of others into my life? I didn't get very far in my thinking when a "but I can do it myself attitude" showed up. I am attentive to my reactions and responses in daily life and they reveal my inner self to me. That should be good enough! Even if it isn't, I am open to the Holy Spirit convicted me directly through making me aware of ways I need to change to be more like Jesus. That definitely should be enough! "Really," I thought going back to thinking about my vehicle, "I should just remember to check my brake lights regularly on my own!" I began to think about how I would do this and decided the best way was to involve someone else. Someone who could let me know what happens when I press on the brakes. This got me back to pondering us as people.
Yes, being reflective regarding my words, thoughts, and actions is a good way to become aware of growth areas. So is openness to the Holy Spirit. I would never advocate for disregarding either of these! What I am interested in is increasing my capacity to listen to others for genuine and true feedback about things I may not be able to see about myself. I think this can be a very significant gift of Christian community. Whether through the indirect means of living life close up and therefore having our sin and temptations exposed or through direct confrontation or gentle observations, our fellow Christians can bless and help us in our priority of becoming more like Jesus.
Although these aren't exactly new ideas to me, humbling receiving others feedback is always a challenge. I am looking forward to how God will work!
peace and grace,
Tracy
PS: How about you? Any comments/experiences you want to share regarding listening to others when they point out weaknesses, blind spots, or potential dangers? How did it impact you?
What she told me surprised me. "You don't have any brake lights," she said. "There is the one on the top but the two on the sides are burnt out," she continued. "Thank you!" was my reply and off we went as the stop light turned green.
I drove home a little more cautiously than normal and then the next day dropped off the vehicle at Canadian Tire to fix the problem. As I waited for my father-in-law to pick me up from Canadian Tire, a question arose in my mind: how would I have known my brake lights didn't work if that stranger hadn't told me? What danger did she save me or others from?
I then translated it to my personal life and considered how do I realize when something is wrong or unsafe in me? What danger could other people and myself be saved from through the feedback and input of others into my life? I didn't get very far in my thinking when a "but I can do it myself attitude" showed up. I am attentive to my reactions and responses in daily life and they reveal my inner self to me. That should be good enough! Even if it isn't, I am open to the Holy Spirit convicted me directly through making me aware of ways I need to change to be more like Jesus. That definitely should be enough! "Really," I thought going back to thinking about my vehicle, "I should just remember to check my brake lights regularly on my own!" I began to think about how I would do this and decided the best way was to involve someone else. Someone who could let me know what happens when I press on the brakes. This got me back to pondering us as people.
Yes, being reflective regarding my words, thoughts, and actions is a good way to become aware of growth areas. So is openness to the Holy Spirit. I would never advocate for disregarding either of these! What I am interested in is increasing my capacity to listen to others for genuine and true feedback about things I may not be able to see about myself. I think this can be a very significant gift of Christian community. Whether through the indirect means of living life close up and therefore having our sin and temptations exposed or through direct confrontation or gentle observations, our fellow Christians can bless and help us in our priority of becoming more like Jesus.
Although these aren't exactly new ideas to me, humbling receiving others feedback is always a challenge. I am looking forward to how God will work!
peace and grace,
Tracy
PS: How about you? Any comments/experiences you want to share regarding listening to others when they point out weaknesses, blind spots, or potential dangers? How did it impact you?
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