Surprise! You’re Pulled Over for Speeding in a School Zone
Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.
Luke 7:47 CSB
On a fall morning, I was pulled over speeding in a school zone.
The morning had been a challenge, and I was ready to quit by 8am. My youngest turned into a puddle as we were going out the door and wouldn’t move. Then he took off like a rocket down the driveway. As I scooped him up and wrestled him into his car seat, I looked up to see my neighbor. I waved and slammed the car door.
All the way to the school I was grumbling in my head and trying to decide which Facebook status update would best describe my morning. As I pulled into the drop off line, I heard the siren and saw the lights behind me.
My heart dropped. What could I have possibly done?
The officer came up to my window. “Did you know you were going 45mph in a school zone?” I felt the heat drain from my face.
“No, officer.”
“I could give you a $500 ticket, a night in jail, and a mandatory court appearance. However, I’m going to give you my Monday morning talk . . . ”
The Real Surprise
Until that moment I hadn’t known what grace felt like. Sure, I had been pulled over before, but I was usually disgruntled at the police officer for slowing down my day.
Yes, I had been a Christian for years and knew Jesus died on the cross for my sins, but I hadn’t truly understood grace.
That moment connected the dots for me that I had missed growing up in the church. Jesus forgave me and rescued me from so much more than the police officer. I now knew why the woman in Luke 7 washed Jesus’ feet with her hair (Luke 7:36-50).
When you experience that kind of grace, an overflowing of love and gratitude are the only responses. We can’t help but be amazed at Jesus and like the man in Luke 8:38, who had the legion of demons, desire to be with Jesus.
Whether you grew up in the church or not, we all have been forgiven much. Verses like Galatians 5:16-21 make it pretty clear that God sees sexual immorality, drunkenness, jealousy, and selfish ambition as all the same. Though we see some sin as “big sin” and others as “little” God doesn’t. They all sent His Son to the cross, and Jesus died for each and every one.
Wherever you are today in your walk with God, let that thought sink in. Jesus loves you and came for you just as much as He did that woman sitting in the county jail. He has forgiven you just as much as he’s forgiven the worst sinner.
Instead of letting that thought bring guilt and shame, let it bring love and gratitude that draws you right to Jesus’ feet.
Let’s Pray . . .
Father, thank you so much for the gift of salvation in Jesus. May the weight of that gift sink into our hearts today and draw us to you. May gratitude well up in us for what you have done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Meet Tara Cole
Tara Cole is a teacher, wife, and mother to three active boys. Her passion is helping moms and their kids deepen their relationships with Jesus. Her books Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily and Everyday Prayers for the School Year help women connect with Christ in the crevices of everyday life. Find more of her writing at taralcole.com.
Where to find her . . .
- Website
- Take the 5-Day Abide Challenge
- Books
Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.
If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.
