Imagine yourself driving in bumper to bumper traffic going 80 miles an hour. Slowing down creates major hazards as people behind you try to merge into lanes on either side to get by. It is safer to drive with the pack. Suddenly as you round a corner there is a black and white car with blue lights sitting by the side of the road. Your heart skips a beat, your knees weaken, and your hands break out in an instant sweat. You know he’s got you. Of course he has everyone else and he can only stop one or two or three if he is an over-achiever. As you pass him you keep watching in the rear view mirror wondering if you are going to be the one he selects. There is safety in numbers. That’s why (we think) fish swim in schools.
If we are the unlucky one pulled over we will most likely say, “But, officer, everyone was doing it.” That is an interesting defense used by teens when caught doing something they shouldn’t. “But, mom, everyone does it.” I wonder if someone yelled up to Noah, “But, Noah, we were all doing it.”
The Marine Corp has an interesting recruiting slogan. “We are looking for a few good men.” That’s what God is doing. While God is full of grace and will save as many of us as He can, He is also looking for some Enochs and Jobs. He wants to be able to single out some individuals and say, “Have you considered my servant ….? Put your name in that blank. One might think that would be the cause for pride but quite to the contrary. Such a woman or man would also be amazingly humble – not one of the crowd.
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 27, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org