But This is Different!

I love excuses. Ask my family. If there's anything that can possibly justify something I shouldn't have done or didn't do, I'll name it in a heartbeat. It's a habit that followed me through years of school, and I'm ashamed to say is still very much with me. If I'm late to band practice, traffic was probably bad or a road was closed somewhere. When I forget to call someone, it's most likely because I was so swamped with important things that I couldn't even find time to text them a quick notice.

Why is making excuses such an easy thing to resort to?

Because it allows us to get away with stuff. Let me clarify- even in a legitimate circumstance (my tire really was flat), I find myself explaining the situation in an attempt to absolve myself of blame rather than as a reasonable apology/explanation. I don't have a problem telling someone that I was late due to traffic, with the intent of filling him in on the situation. However, I rarely look back on such a statement and see myself as having been that honest.

The thing that stands out to me most when I think about making excuses is how I drive. I'm not an unsafe driver; I go 3-5 over the limit on most roads and maybe just slightly faster on the interstate. I try as hard as I can to be aware of people around me and considerate of their driving habits. But I judge people almost constantly. If someone's driving too close to me, you better believe I'm thinking about how arrogant they must be to think they can do whatever they want at the expense of my comfort. When someone flies by in a blur on the interstate, I'm immediately imagining what kind of horrible person would have such blatant disregard for the law.

And then five minutes later I'm fuming at the Buick going 5 under the speed limit in the left lane.

It's hard to admit that I rarely ever consider how immensely hypocritical I am in those moments. Instead I start coming up with all the reasons why my situation is totally different and entails my actions.

I'm not even speeding, they're just driving slow.

The left lane is for passing, not driving the same speed as the person next to you.

I'm at least a good foot farther back than the guy who did this to me earlier.

As long as I don't cuss at him or pull a gun then it's really not that bad.

Jon Acuff wrote about Grace on a Plane recently, and I've been reminding myself of that post whenever I've gone out in the last couple days. I need to keep a few key things in mind- first, that I am not an authority figure in this case and shouldn't try to act like one. Second, regardless of others' actions, I am bound by Scripture to not only follow the law but to love those who don't without any air of superiority.

What does grace in a car look like for you?