Which Lane is Right?

A few years ago, both the highway and the feeder streets were improved and widened. The highway lanes have lessened the rush hour crunch and have helped to accommodate the increasing number of homes being built in the outer suburbs. The one area I’m a little leery of is not on the highway, but on one of the feeder roads. In anticipation of heavy traffic two lanes are allowed to make right hand turns onto the access road. The second lane has the option of turning or going straight and in actuality should be the logical turn lane in preparation for entering the highway, but so far no one on my watch is using that lane for turning. Cars continue to line up in a single row and wait their turn patiently. There are plenty of other similar lane markings in Dallas that do work as designed. Drivers take advantage of the double-turn lanes and choose lanes according to their next turn. One day this intersection will change. Some outsider will read the signs and turn right as is their option forcing the single lane to react to this obtrusion into their routine. It will be chaos for awhile as drivers begin to revise their patterns, methodology and temperaments as they jockey for their place in this puzzle. I know one day it will change, and both lanes will allow more traffic flow, but I won’t be the one to topple the first domino! And if I get rightfully bypassed, I’ll try to hold my tongue. “We don’t do it that way around here Mister!” (You know it’s gonna to be a pickup or a sports car – unless, of course, it’s a distracted sedan driven by a woman putting on makeup!) And actually, it can be done that way. Who’s the lemming?

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You are the great designer of life. Sometimes we fail to heed your signs, instead relying on familiar patterns and unobtrusive actions. We don’t want to change our habits, particularly when it is pairing so adequately with so many others. There doesn’t seem to be a need to upset the flow, start consternation and stand out as an instigator. No one seems to be complaining, why should we be the ones asked to make the sacrifice of our anonymity? Despite our knowledge of your imminent judgment, we are planted more firmly in our stoicism than freed by your dreams. Let us remove the shackles of contentment and comfort of routine, finding instead, pleasure and reassurance by the release of our will to yours. Joy can be made that way, if we watch and follow. Amen.