Get the most from your vehicle: Cars are hard to figure out. There’s a reason we have such a hard time finding a mechanic we can trust: because we so often don’t know anything about cars. For many, if it’s moving it’s working and if it isn’t, it needs to be fixed. But usually, it needs to be fixed long before it stops, and while this is going on, the car is wasting resources and your money. So, it is good stewardship to learn more about your car and know what it needs. It can also be fun and a big ego boost to maintain or fix your car yourself.
But, even more simply, we can drive in a way that does not wear our cars out faster. For instance, making slower more gradual stops, where you see the stop earlier, anticipate, and ease on your brakes will make your brakes last longer, use less gas, and help your tires last longer. If you avoid gunning it as soon as the light turns green, you use less gasoline. I’ve seen a difference of 5-10 miles per gallon when I drive like this, as opposed to riding the brakes and gunning the gas pedal. The more gradual you can make your stops and acceleration, the better—especially when you’re dealing with hills.
Working on cars and driving with more restraint probably doesn’t seem overtly spiritual unless you’re thinking about it in the stereotypical kind of man’s man way. But, this is, like so many other things we’ve talked about, taking care of something. It is using our resources wisely. This is a praise to God that you realize all he has blessed you with and you do not intend to squander it. So, roll up your sleeves, get greasy, watch your driving, save some money on gas, replacements and repairs, and know that you are giving greater glory to the gifts God has put in your life.
31 October 2010
Transportation Practice 3
Take the Scenic Route: We like to be able to drive fast. When I was in college, driving from Jackson to Knoxville was a huge chore to me, and so I wanted to finish it as quickly as possible. I wheeled down I-40 well over the speed limit, feeling almost like I needed to. We are in such a hurry these days that the most important thing to us becomes making good time at all costs. Even if we deny everyone in the car a bathroom break, completely miss everything we drive past, and even endanger some lives all in the name of good time.
I discovered one day when I got a little bored on my way home that, from Camden, you can take Highway 70 to Jackson rather than the interstate. I had some time to spare, so I figured, “why not?” I took the route and, first off, learned that it wasn’t much longer than my I-40 route (5 or 10 minutes if even that). In my constant quest for gasoline efficiency, I started thinking about this and realized that I had likely saved on gas, because I was driving at a speed limit of 55 mph or less, rather than the 70 mph of the interstate. So, I had made about the same time and gotten better gas mileage.
But, I also began to like this route for reasons other than money savings. Along this route, I passed through 5 or 6 small towns along the way. When you do this, you see quirky local businesses and restaurants. You pass through pastures and farms. You see things that you can’t on the interstate, because either you’re driving too fast or the interstate just has to be separate from these small town main streets to have such high speed limits.
Along these routes, I am frequently tempted to get out and explore, and, every now and then, I give in to those urges and really have some great experiences. I remember one day on my way home, using Highway 70, there was a gorgeous sunset with purples and pink of all shades in the sky. I was passing by a large cotton field and couldn’t help but pull over to really look at it. I pulled into a country road, and for about 20 minutes, sat on my hood and just took the beauty of God’s creation in. I would not have even considered this on the interstate.
So, just try my advice out: take a way you don’t normally travel and see what you find. Or, slow down on that route that’s usually just a means to get from point A to point B. Take in some of the natural sites God has put in front of you: pull over next to one of those creeks you drive past every day and just look over the bridge, thanking God for this time. Pop in on a neat little business establishment you’ve wondered about, and talk to the people for a minutes. These activities are connectional, and there is no doubt that the God we serve wants us to connect.
I discovered one day when I got a little bored on my way home that, from Camden, you can take Highway 70 to Jackson rather than the interstate. I had some time to spare, so I figured, “why not?” I took the route and, first off, learned that it wasn’t much longer than my I-40 route (5 or 10 minutes if even that). In my constant quest for gasoline efficiency, I started thinking about this and realized that I had likely saved on gas, because I was driving at a speed limit of 55 mph or less, rather than the 70 mph of the interstate. So, I had made about the same time and gotten better gas mileage.
But, I also began to like this route for reasons other than money savings. Along this route, I passed through 5 or 6 small towns along the way. When you do this, you see quirky local businesses and restaurants. You pass through pastures and farms. You see things that you can’t on the interstate, because either you’re driving too fast or the interstate just has to be separate from these small town main streets to have such high speed limits.
Along these routes, I am frequently tempted to get out and explore, and, every now and then, I give in to those urges and really have some great experiences. I remember one day on my way home, using Highway 70, there was a gorgeous sunset with purples and pink of all shades in the sky. I was passing by a large cotton field and couldn’t help but pull over to really look at it. I pulled into a country road, and for about 20 minutes, sat on my hood and just took the beauty of God’s creation in. I would not have even considered this on the interstate.
So, just try my advice out: take a way you don’t normally travel and see what you find. Or, slow down on that route that’s usually just a means to get from point A to point B. Take in some of the natural sites God has put in front of you: pull over next to one of those creeks you drive past every day and just look over the bridge, thanking God for this time. Pop in on a neat little business establishment you’ve wondered about, and talk to the people for a minutes. These activities are connectional, and there is no doubt that the God we serve wants us to connect.
29 October 2010
Transportation Practice 2
Carpool: Think about this: if every person in your town carpooled with one other person, it would cut rush hour traffic in half. If every person carpooled with two other people, you’d have one third of the cars you have to sit in line with each morning to get to work. That’s appealing enough on its own for many, but you also cut out pollution, so the air in your city is cleaner, and you probably cut down on auto accidents in your town too.
And, here is the spiritual component of this practice: you will be forming a community. It will, no doubt, take some coordination. You may have to look for people who work in the same vicinity as you that live in your neighborhood. Or, you may have to pick some people up in different neighborhoods. It will not always be easy—some will run late, some will be grumpy, some will talk on and on about things you don’t care about (I’m really selling this, right?). But you will also have a few more people to share your life with. People who you can talk to after a long day to help you cool down before getting home. You could say a prayer together each morning for a safe and productive day. For me especially, my urges tell me to look for ways to isolate myself. I do enjoy driving alone, getting to listen to what I want to listen to on the radio. But, some of the best conversations of my life have been had with people in a car.
We have cars that normally at least have seats for 4-5 people. Doesn’t it seem like a shame that there are lines of these cars with just one person? So, look around you and find out who from your place of business lives nearby. Also, see who from your neighborhood works near you. Coordinate a carpool, even if it’s just one day a week at first. As with most environmental practices, this will save you money. Just imagine the cool things you can do if you cut your gasoline bill in half this month.
And, here is the spiritual component of this practice: you will be forming a community. It will, no doubt, take some coordination. You may have to look for people who work in the same vicinity as you that live in your neighborhood. Or, you may have to pick some people up in different neighborhoods. It will not always be easy—some will run late, some will be grumpy, some will talk on and on about things you don’t care about (I’m really selling this, right?). But you will also have a few more people to share your life with. People who you can talk to after a long day to help you cool down before getting home. You could say a prayer together each morning for a safe and productive day. For me especially, my urges tell me to look for ways to isolate myself. I do enjoy driving alone, getting to listen to what I want to listen to on the radio. But, some of the best conversations of my life have been had with people in a car.
We have cars that normally at least have seats for 4-5 people. Doesn’t it seem like a shame that there are lines of these cars with just one person? So, look around you and find out who from your place of business lives nearby. Also, see who from your neighborhood works near you. Coordinate a carpool, even if it’s just one day a week at first. As with most environmental practices, this will save you money. Just imagine the cool things you can do if you cut your gasoline bill in half this month.
28 October 2010
Transportation Practice 1
Walk or Bike Somewhere: There are so many places that we drive to that could easily be walked. One of the greatest sources of pollution in our world comes from the enormous amount of cars on the road. But this practice is not just about reducing pollution. I am lucky enough to live close to the place I work. From my house to the office is a little over half a mile. So, generally, on my lunch break, I walk to my house, eat, then walk back to work. There are, occasionally, days that I go into town to eat out. Those afternoons are almost always much more difficult for me to get motivated for, because during that 10 minute drive back to the office, something happens to my body. I guess it’s the food sitting there and me sitting there, and I just get tired. Whatever it is, I have a tough time waking up in the afternoons when I drive back from lunch. However, when I walk back from lunch I have much more energy and usually go right back into whatever project I’m working on. You also notice more when you walk. You see plants and animals around you that you’d just be lucky to glance at if you drove by. You have time to think and reflect. You see the place you are traveling in a different way and know it a little better. This has had a great spiritual effect on me. It helps me sort through things at the beginning and end of my days. It gives me time to reflect. It also gives me exercise. There are so many who join gyms to get the exercise they could get by simply walking to the places they have to go. This practice has so many potential benefits. Find a walk you can make instead of driving. If you don’t walk much, don’t push it—keep it below a mile. Take time to notice the things you don’t when you drive the route. Spend time in prayer, let the walk focus you.
26 October 2010
October Focus: Transportation
The Christian faith has always been a faith "on the move." Jesus and his followers were always traveling - albeit not great distances. But what Jesus and the disciples lacked in terms of distance they accounted for in terms of frequency. They are almost never in the same place for very long. Often the gospel writers tells us they are "on the way" which is both literal and figurative. They were "on the road again," but they were also on the "way" to God and the bringing about of God's kingdom. One of the earliest names for the Christian movement was "the way."
We have considerably more options from getting from place to place in our day. But our options should raise questions about how we choose to be "on the move" and what that says about our WAY of life.
Here is another introductory video with some hints to get you thinking and praying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_RKnGjfnQY
We have considerably more options from getting from place to place in our day. But our options should raise questions about how we choose to be "on the move" and what that says about our WAY of life.
Here is another introductory video with some hints to get you thinking and praying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_RKnGjfnQY
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