Parallels: Home and Spiritual Renovation—Driving for Supplies

(This is part of a series on what I learned through the process of renovating our home, and the parallels to a life yielded to and experiencing God’s work in renovating our life and spirit)

Home renovation includes driving—a lot of driving!  I spent many hours going to and from home improvement stores, supply companies, and hardware stores. Sometimes the materials I picked up could easily be placed in the trunk of my car, but more often than not I had to use a truck to bring lumber or other larger materials to our house. 

We all know that roadways can be dangerous places. I’ve seen videos of drivers try to hold down a mattress on the roof of their car with their hands while they were driving (SPOILER ALERT: It doesn’t work!) I’m sure many of you, like me, have had to avoid materials strewn on the road from someone who didn’t take a few minutes to tie down their load. Experience has taught me to take time to strap down the materials I haul so they make it safely to my destination and not become a hazard to me or other people and vehicles.

Drivers also seem to be in a bigger hurry than ever these days, and sometimes make poor decisions that cause our adrenaline to rise and emotions to flare. It seems almost daily our patience is tried by someone on the road. With road rage a factor today, it’s even more important to keep calm and remember the goal of driving is to make it safely to our destination—not engaging with someone else.  We can’t control them, but we can ask God to help us remember that our times are in His hand. Richard Foster once wrote “Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will rest satisfied.” John Mark Comer has written about the necessity for Christ followers to resist hurrying, and instead rest in God’s presence and provision. As we do this more and more, our driving will become safer and more peaceful.

Several years ago, I wrote and recorded a song entitled “Peace Driver”, that started as a personal prayer to be more Christ-like on the road. It was inspired by one line from the prayer of St. Francis, who lived centuries ago: “Make me an instrument of your peace”. I’ve included a link to the song as well as the lyrics below for you to read. I hope it encourages you in the good and not-so-good days on the road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRa-N2XEGys

Over the years God been slowly teaching and rewiring me to pray and breathe rather than react when on the road. Over the years my wife has also given me wise counsel, reminding me to not react when someone cuts in front of our car. I’m still not perfect, but by God’s grace I am learning to pray for the people I encounter on the road and be a grace-giver and peace driver. It’s one part of our spiritual renovation!

God bless you.

Chris Atkins

Peace Driver

© Words and music by Christopher J. Atkins. All rights reserved

We rush to our cars and we suddenly change

Oh, we’re racing in a dangerous game

And on the road it’s hard to find

A driving soul that’s calm and kind

It’s time to rise up and stem the tide

Show the world our heavenly side

I want to drive so the world can see

God is the One who lives in me.

I want to be a peace driver

I want to be a peace driver

Make me a driver of Your peace

Make me a channel of love released, 

Help me to care and understand,

And guide the wheel with gentle hands;

Pray for travelers I meet on the road

For they might be carrying a heavy load;

I want to love so the world can see

You are the God who’s driving me.

A peace driver

I want to be a peace driver

Lord help me be a peace driver

I want to be a peace driver

Make my driving a place where You

Help me to yield and to forgive

Lead me to pray and not retaliate

And give me patience when I have to wait

Keep me from challenges and foolish games

Help me to bless instead of blame

Teach me to love the greatest and least

Make me a driver of your peace.

A Peace driver

I want to be a peace driver

Lord help me be a peace driver

I want to be a peace driver

Lord help me be a peace driver

I want to be a peace driver

Lord help me be a peace driver

A Peace driver

Lord help me be a peace driver

I want to be a peace driver

Peace driver.

Recording available on i-tunes, Amazon, Spotify, and other fine outlets. © Words and music by Christopher J. Atkins. All rights reserved.