What Just Happened Here?

Last week I witnessed a near altercation in a big box store parking lot. I had a hard time believing what I was seeing and a hard time understanding what took place.

Martha and I were traveling out of town last Friday afternoon when we realized we needed to stop off and pick up an item or two.

We pulled in to a big box store where I dropped Martha off at the door and went to find a parking place.

The parking lot was almost empty, with spaces everywhere. I drove through three parking bays to find my ideal spot to wait as Martha finish her purchase.

As I came to a stop, I noticed a mail truck pulling into a parking place and a silver sedan trying to pull into the same spot from the opposite direction.

It was almost hilarious. In an empty parking lot how could two drivers argue over the same spot? But, that’s exactly what they did. The driver of the silver automobile blew its horn for the longest time, probably as long as 20 seconds. It was long enough for me to say out loud, “Come on now.”

After what seemed like the longest stare down, the silver car pulled right next to the mail truck.

At that point I feared what might take place. I hoped that no one had a gun. I also hoped it wasn’t two young, big, strong dudes who were going to get into a fight and I would be the only one to break it up!

Fortunately, none of that happened. I was greatly relieved.

When Martha got back in the automobile, I told her what happened and remarked how so many people are filled with anger, frustration, and a sense that they can’t dare let someone else take advantage of them.

Do you wonder how we got to this place?

Is it because no one teaches the golden rule in school?

Is it because we don’t teach our children to love one another as God in Christ loved us? Is it because we don’t hear anyone saying, “and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Is it because we’ve relegated God to Sundays in the worship service and not placed Him on the throne of all our lives?

Is it because that even in the church we’ve learned to look out for ourselves and not think of the needs of others?

There are so many things you and I can’t solve in life.

Here is something I can solve. I can open my life to God and submit to Him. I can seek the mind of Christ –– an attitude of selflessness and love for others. I can seek purity, righteousness, and holiness.

Above all else, I can guard my heart, knowing that it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23).

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One Response

  1. Sadly, far too often, I witness the same “territorialism” in local churches. May God’s people be marked by the fruit of His Spirit daily. Especially when we’re between gatherings at the church house. Oh, and in the church houses also.

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