Running in Neutral
It’s amazing what a crossword puzzle can lead to. The clue was, ‘running in neutral’. That little clue really pricked my conscience. How often do I run in neutral and totally waste my time—more than I care to admit.
Running in neutral can be very deceiving. If you compare it to a car, you turn the key, start the motor and there is a noise that tells you something has happened — it’s running, however, it’s idling. You can even step on accelerator and rev the engine and make lots of impressive noise.
But, you’re not going anywhere. You can hunch down over the steering wheel and turn it and pretend. But, the view doesn’t change. You’re running in neutral. Sounds like something is happening, but the key word here is ‘idle’.
How easy it is to get caught up in things that just don’t matter, to spend hours on the unimportant, to become obsessed with things that divert our attention from God. Even things that start out being done for God can suddenly turn into our pet project with God’s direction forgotten or ‘improved upon’.
Holding a position in the church can be a very good thing with an opportunity to make a difference or we can become so impressed with ourselves that we become obsessed with ‘our agenda’ and lose touch with God in the process. I don’t want to be important in the world's eyes, I want God to see a humble servant.
Sometimes when I reflect in the evening I realize it has been a ‘running in neutral’ day. Lots of activity, but nothing of much consequence accomplished. I guess if I’m going to be ‘idling’, I would like it to be in a manner that is conducive to hearing God, not in a “running in neutral’ frenzy that drowns him out.
Emerge from your cocoon, spread your wings and become what God created you to be.
~ The End ~
(p.s. Please let us know if you have enjoyed this story. Thanks!)
Running In Neutral | © B.L. Cooper
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Zephaniah 3:17...."The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”