Some time ago, my church ordered decorative license plates for members to put on the front of their cars to identify themselves as a “believer.”  At the time, I felt it was best that I not put a license plate on the front of my car because my driving habits where such that it would not be becoming for believer to advertise themselves as such and behave like I sometimes do behind the wheel of the car.  Now, don’t get excited.  I don’t make obscene hand gestures or pummel my fists into the steering wheel, but it has long been my objective to get in the front of the line in any type of traffic – even if it just means get ahead of everyone in order to be the first one to stop at the red light ahead!  Yeah, that’s fun when all the people you just passed like a bat out of a cave catch up to you at the light and laugh while looking your way – or as was done recently to me – give the one finger salute!

So a couple of years ago, I totalled my car in my own driveway.  Yes, this is best saved for another post.  Thanks to State Farm, I was recompensed enough money to buy a newer better car from some friends in our Sunday school class.  It came complete with a church license plate on the front of the car.  Argggh.  Now I had the dilemma of deliberately removing the plate so I could continue driving as normal, or change my evil ways and begin driving like a proper Christian should – with law abiding courtesy to all.  Of course, I would drive even better if the license tag was branded into the area of my steering wheel that is used for honking my horn!

So here’s my final thought on this subject.  I now have a license plate on the front of my car and have since added an Ichthus to the back of my car making sure the world knows that I am a Christ-follower when I am going and coming.  If I cannot discipline myself to drive in a fashion that exemplifies what I stand for, should I simply remove these items from my car?  I guess it would be easy enough to remove the license plate, but the Ichthus would leave adhesive residue shaped like a fish and that would defeat the purpose.  So, I resign myself to continue asking God to live through me even in traffic on I-65 in Birmingham, Alabama.  Isn’t this like praying for patience?  God answer by placing you in difficult situations.   I guess I’m destined to be driving on busy roadways until I get a grip on driving like a believer.  Pray for me and those I encounter on the road!

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NLT).