new driver.

i think possibly one of the most precious, semi-pathetic things on earth is a diesel student driver. i was behind one of these guys on the way home yesterday, and he got me to thinking. i love watching them as they crawl along at 7 mph and snake their way along the lane, slowing down almost to a stop to make that dreaded left turn. they certainly cannot even pretend to know what they’re doing…the huge yellow sign on the back tells us all. i’m betting it’s a pretty humbling experience for a 40-year-old man who is supposed to have it all figured out, and suddenly he is 15 again, unsure of himself as he learns to drive a vehicle. except this vehicle is much larger, heavier, and harder to get used to. just when he thought he knew it all.

i kinda feel like i’m learning to drive a diesel sometimes, too. just when i think i know anything about what it takes to follow christ…something way bigger is introduced to me, something much weightier and more difficult to wade through. it feels like such slow going, and i have to be a lot more careful. pretending like i know what i’m doing isn’t really an option…it’s pretty obvious as i swerve around at a snail’s pace that i have no clue how to handle this big, new, awkward information. i know it’s worth it, because a bigger perspective allows for much more storage space. i’m learning, and i’m pretty sure that as soon as i get a feel for this diesel, i’ll need to fly a plane.

i’ve got a big, fat ’student driver’ sticker slapped to my butt. sorry if you happened to get behind me on your way. i’ve got a pretty good Teacher, though, if you ask me. i’d have lost my patience by this point if i were Him. but i’m not. and He hasn’t.