Kaleo Life

This week is Spring Break for schools in Oregon and we figured a fun way to kick-off the Spring Break week was to take our kids to the Rock-and-Worship Road Show in Portland (http://www.therockandworshiproadshow.com).  Which we did and the kids all agreed was AWESOME!

But the concert was on Sunday afternoon.  I am  a pastor.  I don’t get off the church campus until after 1pm.  Portland is nearly a 2 hour drive from us.  We were convinced we could make it in time if we but hurried.  At 2:07 p.m. we were loaded in the minivan and hauling. . .and I mean hauling. . .to Portland.  I felt like I was living a Mario Kart race.  The Wii has nothing on the real thing!  About 45 minutes into my race, while I’m making my move to the outside, timing it so I could lane-change back in front of the car without breaking my speed or rear-ending the car in the outside lane, a car 5 lengths in front does the same move but goes all the way onto the shoulder kicking up a blanket of dirt, dust and rock.  Muttering a few choice thoughts under my breath as I drive a hole through the dirt cloud, my heart skips several beats as I realize I just passed a Highway Patrol car.  It was an Oregon State Trooper who had quickly pulled to the shoulder of the road.

I cast a squinted smile at my wife.  We were going to be sooo busted.

Well as I blew by the Patrol Car, she quickly re-entered the race, positioning herself two cars behind me. And like a good pace car at the Indy 500, everyone behind her slowed to below the posted speed limit sign.  It was only a matter of moments and it became my van (loaded with my family), the Highway Patrolman, and then everyone else lined up dutiful behind the patrol car in mocked obedience.  I set the van on cruise at 3 mph faster than the posted speed limit, moved to the center lane and waited for judgment day. . .and waited. . .and waited. . .and waited.

For 15 miles we traveled like this.  Oh the irony.  I had just preached that morning on being a Model of Christ-likeness and how important it is for us to consistently be that Model.  And here I was, in my rush, compromising the very character of the One whose name I profess. For 15 miles we reflected. I prayed. And the Spirit of God recalibrated my heart.

After 15 miles, poof! The patrol car pulled off the road leaving me to my thoughts and my driving record untarnished. But I had learned a valuable lesson: life lived in obedience to God is radical when it is lived obediently in the small things.  That’s Kaleo Life.

What lesson on obedience has God taught you lately?