HOW TO ENJOY THE SPEED BUMPS OF LIFE…

II CORINTHIANS 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: How do I handle the speed bumps of life? I want life to be like a trip on an uncrowded freeway with no slowdowns, accidents, detours, and most of all –

NO SPEED BUMPS!

I live in a golf course community. The speed limit is 25 mph. It is difficult to go that speed so they have installed speed bumps along every street. These speed bumps were designed to be driven over at a maximum speed of 10 mph. When you are in a hurry and forget you quickly remember as your car bounces over the speed bump.

It is an uncomfortable reminder!

The purpose of a speed bump is to keep one safe. It keeps the residents who are walking safe. It monitors the traffic speed so golf carts can safely share the road with automobiles. And, it helps the resident arrive safely at their destination.

Life is like a trip down a road filled with speed bumps. We want to speed through life without a care in the world. The problem is we often take our eyes off the road. Instead of heading to our destination, we find ourselves racing toward a ditch, or worse yet, a cliff!

God loves us so much that He allows speed bumps to be placed in our traffic pattern to protect and guide us safely to our destination.

When we look at the inconvenience of these speed bumps in comparison to the blessing of arriving safely at our destination, the minor and temporary inconvenience they cause pale in comparison to the joy of safely arriving at our desired destination. The speed bump is but a second in the vast minutes, hours, and ultimate eternity that we will experience in our lives.

This is why Paul says – “Therefore, we don’t lose heart…”. Growing old is such a speed bump. The things that I used to do I struggle to do now. I find that my wife and I have become that cute old couple sitting on the park bench as others race by in the pursuit of life. Yet, something else is taking place. The road of life we have traveled filled with speed bumps has begun a deep inner work in our hearts.

While our outward man is perishing and our hair is turning grey, our inward man is growing younger every day. Our spiritual man is growing stronger and stronger as we learn to trust Christ through all the speed bumps of life. We begin to give thanks for these momentary delays and inconveniences as we see the investment God is making in our eternal future as His Spirit works His transformation in our lives.

Something changes in our perspective. We are slowing down in our daily lives while soaring to new heights in our spiritual lives. We are braking for the speed bumps while racing toward eternity. Our gaze is lifted heavenward as we see life from a different perspective. Each speed bump is seen, not as an aggravation or inconvenience but as a moment to slow down, reflect, worship, and pray.

The delays and struggles of life are seen through the eyes of our final destination. There is a crown of life ahead, an eternal weight of glory, a life filled with the presence and power of God. It is not a mere story we read about in the Bible but an ever closer reality as we learn to take courage, day by day, and look at the things that are before us, beyond us, and destined for us!

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Lord, thank you for the speed bumps in my life! I choose to slow down, take each one with gratitude and expectation, and give You praise and glory for the destination that You have promised!

For, the things beyond the speed bumps in life are eternal!

In Jesus’ Name!