Construction Zone

Every weekday, I grumble at the construction blocking my way to and from work. It makes me late. It makes me grouchy. It makes me say things under my breath (and sometimes not) that I shouldn't. The light turns green but what's the point? No one can move. People start laying on their horns as it turns yellow, then red.... repeat. I look into the faces of my fellow commuters and see the so-called "3rd Street Improvement" brings out the worst in all of us.

A few days ago, I decided to take a good look at what those no-good construction workers were actually doing. "What's in it for me?" I thought. Then I saw it. They were making a bike trail that will go under the highway. I had an instant flash back of the many times I crossed that intersection on my bicycle knowing that in a matter of time I would become road kill.

"Wow", I thought with a smile, "that will make riding to work so much easier next summer... or the one after... or however long it takes them to finish!" Suddenly I had a whole new perspective. What used to set the tone for a lousy day no longer had that power. Once I had gotten a glimpse of the purpose, I began to realize that I had more time to listen to my favorite radio program and even pray for my coworkers on the way to the office!

In the same way, when we begin to see a snippet of the work that God is doing in our lives and believe His promise that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6), our entire perspective of the trip will change. Yes, it's stop-and-go and people get angry and people don't get it and people get frustrated along the way. But one day we will stand in amazement at what He had in mind the entire time. 

Remembering that we are God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) is the best cure for spiritual road rage!