March 5, 2025

I met a police officer this morning. It was not my idea, but he obviously wanted to meet me, so without making an appointment or giving me a heads-up, he got my attention with the lights flashing on the top of his car. I had no idea why he wanted to meet me. I was not speeding. I had just gone through a green light. I was baffled. He politely asked me if I was aware that my tags were expired. I was very surprised. I always renew those. How could that be? I gave him my license while I retrieved my car registration. There it was. Good through May, 2024. He was right. I was guilty.

I could say, “But officer, I didn’t feel guilty.” And that was true. I’ve been driving around all this time, and certainly did not feel guilty. But I was guilty whether I felt like it or not. Now that he showed me the law and I realized that I came up short, I realized that I was indeed guilty. Now I drive with an awareness of my guilt and of course, as soon as I get done writing this little blog, I’m going to get on-line to get my license plate tabs.

God’s Word is a gift to us so that we can calibrate our lives according to what is true and not what I feel to be true, or want to be true. But now what? What do you do when you realize that something that you believe, or are doing is not right? Are you willing to humble yourself, acknowledge your guilt and address it or are you going to argue about it and make excuses? The answer to that depends on who you really believe and follow. If you really believe God and are a follower of Christ, then you will give up your excuses and accept his truth.

There is a reason why the first line of the Sermon the Mount says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” If we do not start with humility, we will never go anywhere with Christ.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s text: Luke 11:3