My love for writing short devotionals has been renewed lately.  I'm not exactly sure what the Lord's plan is, but for now, you get to receive it :)  Lucky you, ha ha.

A couple of weeks ago I was in the Family Bookstore looking for some reading material and I found a bumper sticker for my little red car.  It says "Love God, Love People".  Well, instead of "Love" it has a pretty red heart to match my car.  It's a magnetic bumper sticker, so I bought it and stuck it right on in the parking lot.  It made me feel good to know for a second that when someone was driving past me they would know that I'm a follower of Jesus and I take his creed seriously.  I was borderline prideful about my new bumper sticker. 

This past weekend, J.C. and I went to a youth workers conference in Chicago.  After driving 4 hours in a steady drizzle (which is worse than a hard rain as far as I'm concerned) we got stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on the "Chicago Loop".  Can I just say, I really dislike traffic.  I get a little panicky to be honest, and very impatient.  JC was sleeping very soundly while I was dealing with the wild and crazy people of the Windy City!  As one lady darted across 3 lanes of traffic and nearly sent me into the ditch, my first response was to flip her the bird!  I was so angry!  Then it occurred to me - THE BUMPER STICKER!  "I can't flip her off", I thought.  "What if she's not a Christian, she'll think all Christians are horrible hypocrites".  "What if she is a Christian, she'll be so disappointed in a  fellow sister".  And just that quickly I had several thoughts run through my mind.  But it's the final thought that disturbed me the most!  For a split second I actually thought to myself "Boy, I really wish I didn't have that new bumper sticker on my car!"

Can you imagine!?  I mean, I would really rather have someone think I'm not a Christian, just so I can act out in my flesh, than to know I'm a Christian and act in love!  I was so disappointed in myself.  I immediately began to pray.  God reminded me of Peter.  Jesus told him in Matthew 26 that Peter would deny him 3 times.  Peter didn't believe it.  I mean, he loved Jesus and devoted his life to following him.  But we read later in John 18 that Peter does indeed deny him 3 times. 

I was Peter that day.  In my mind, I had denied Jesus.  Even if for just a split second, I denied the very man that hung on a cross for me!  I know I have read this before about Peter and thought to myself, "I can't imagine blatantly denying Jesus!"  However, it doesn't really matter if it's blatant or just for split second in your mind, it's all the same thing. 

So, this bumper sticker that was supposed to speak to all of those who are driving past me, really spoke to me.  If no one else sees it ever again, it has done it's job.
No, I did not end up flying the finger that day.... I did however, have an encounter with Jesus that brought me to my knees asking for forgiveness.  Our God is a loving a forgiving father.  Thank goodness he has a lot more patience with me than I do with other drivers!

Love to you all,
Rachel