I was stuck in traffic on Monday morning while taking my son to school. Of course we were already running late, even before we hit the queue at the roadworks. Getting stuck in traffic is an exercise in managing your emotions. The car isn’t moving. No one is moving. But a lot can be moving internally, right?
What I’m trying to learn to do when stuck in traffic, is to let go. Accept the situation. Breathe. All the frustration in the world isn’t going to get me where I want to be. Tension isn’t going to make the traffic move any faster. Of course this is easier said than done, but it does help - a lot.
On Monday I somehow managed to stay patient, and eventually got through the traffic jam. My son was a little late for school but no great harm was done – and I was still in a good mood.
And that got me thinking this week about the traffic jam as a metaphor. Sometimes it can feel as though things aren’t moving as quickly as we would like. God doesn’t seem to be in any great hurry. Our prayers can seem stuck in a queue somewhere while we wait for the answer to arrive. When life is like this, it can be easy to get frustrated. But maybe there is something to learn here. What if we could learn to live with a peaceful, joyful acceptance of the moment we are? What if we embrace it as a true spiritual discipline? The delay might be more redemptive than we know. This current season might be vital to our future self. None of us like being delayed, but the traffic jam chapters of life might actually be one of our greatest allies.
Here’s a few of my reflections on how we might navigate those seasons well:
STAY PATIENT. The scriptures are full of references to the role of patience in the life of faith. In fact, learning patience might be one of the greatest benefits of a delay. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32)
STAY OPEN. The season you are in will have its own opportunities. On Monday it meant a few extra minutes to catch up with my son. Don’t waste the time by wishing it away. I know things might not be moving as quickly as you want them to, but if you can accept the season you are in you will find opportunities there. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.(Psalm 90:12)
KEEP A WIDE PERSPECTIVE. I was only in a traffic jam because I own a car and can afford to run it. And I have a son I love who I get to take to school. And we both slept with a roof over our heads and ate all the breakfast we wanted to before heading out the door. People all over the world would trade places with me in a heartbeat. Let that be a metaphor for your life. Count your blessings! Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:2)
TRUST GOD’S GOODNESS. Every traffic jam clears eventually – even when it feels like it never will. The season will end. One of the challenges of christianity is to believe that Jesus is doing what he said he would – leading us. He doesn’t only lead us during the times we understand, but through every season… especially the ones we don’t understand. Let him lead. Trust that he is good. You will come through. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters… (Psalm 23)
I still don’t like traffic jams, whether they are literal or metaphorical. But I don’t want to be defined by them. I don’t want to lose heart. I hope you can navigate the season you are in with a deep, abiding confidence in the goodness of God.
Let’s keep learning together.
Some Other Things:
last Saturday I caught up with the legendary Bryn Haworth. Bryn has been an inspiration to me for a very long time, and continues to be so. If you’re not aware of his music, go to https://www.brynhaworth.com/ and take a look. Hard to recommend just one Bryn song, but here’s a great version of People Get Ready.
I’ve started reading this book again by John Mark Comer. Live No Lies. It’s timeless in its wisdom, yet has never been more timely.
If you’re a Church Leader or involved in ministry I recently discovered the Grow Leader Podcast. I’m late to the table, but there’s loads of great content from Chris Hodges and his team.
You can listen to MY MUSIC (!) here.
Leave me a comment and say Hi!
Warmest,
Steve
So good Steve.
Thanks Steve. Enjoying. We've been waiting 3 nearly 4 years trying to buy a house and 6 fallen through houses later we are still waiting. Even today we went instead just for a bigger rented flat and then we are told it's been LET already 😥 so in our indecisiveness of not knowing if w should go for the flat we now live with more waiting of more missed opportunities. I think waiting is painful and full of grief at times.