“Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider the great things He has done for you.”                                                                                           I Samuel 12:24 (NASB)

Traveling to work one day at my usual rate of speed, there was a police car positioned so that it was unnoticeable to me until I was passing by the side street where it was parked on a hill to my right. Two seconds later, I heard the blast of the siren and I saw the bright blue lights flashing in my rearview mirror. Immediately, my pulse quickened.  My heart sank. My stomach became queasy. I can’t adequately describe the hollow, sick feeling. The feeling of guilt that took over my mind and body at that moment. 

Scrambling to gather my thoughts, my mind was on high alert. Trying to decide where it was appropriate to pull over on the divided highway, with clammy palms, I was close to panic for an answer when I checked the rearview mirror again and realized that the police officer was trailing a different vehicle. Whew! What a relief. It wasn’t me that the officer was stopping. It was another unfortunate, speeding soul.

As I drove on, the siren quieted and lights faded from view. My pulse slowed closer to normal and I relaxed the death grip I had on the steering wheel. Then, my mind drifted to more comforting thoughts. I knew I wasn’t speeding. I didn’t do anything wrong. I remembered looking at the speedometer and only being 8 miles an hour over the speed limit. Yet, my stomach still felt a little queasy and I was edgy, uneasy. 

The familiar feeling of guilt. I still felt guilty – or embarrassed – the feelings are very similar and closely related. 

This wasn’t the first time I had felt this way and I am sure it won’t be the last. 

Truth: Sometimes I drive over the speed limit. I am convinced that as long as I don’t go more than 10 miles an hour over the speed limit it’s acceptable. That’s just a little over the limit and no one can stick to the exact speed limit all the time, right?!

Why do blue lights and sirens have that effect on me? Or sometimes just the sight of a police car? Probably because I know I am not perfect. I am guilty of traffic violations. I am embarrassed to think that could be or should be exposed. 

That’s it. Guilt brings embarrassment. 

I am embarrassed because I know the laws/rules; however, I break them anyway.

I bet you have similar feelings when this happens to you. Be honest. If you don’t have some anxiety in a situation like this does it mean you have become too comfortable breaking the law? 

Do you have similar feelings when you come before God? 

Do you steer your life differently when you are at church or with other Christians than you do when you are at home or with your buddies? Do you have feelings of guilt or embarrassment? Or have you become comfortable breaking God’s rules?

When we commit those “small sins” (like gossiping, using profanity, or judging others) is it just like going 10 miles over the speed limit – nothing to get caught for?

Remember with God there are no “small sins,” and with Him the speed limit is the speed limit. 

When we go over God’s speed limit in our daily lives, do we feel just as guilty as when we see those blue lights and hear that siren? We should.

If not, maybe we have become too comfortable and complacent pushing the limit with God.

From today forward, try something new. Try going the speed limit (or under) on the road and in the way you live your life. 

You will experience more satisfaction … and a lot less guilt and embarrassment.