Shifting Gears

In just a few weeks I head off to college. Among the long list of things still to do before I leave, one of them is learn to drive a stick shift. Dad's rules.

I am perfectly happy with my automatic, which allows me to be lazy and have an extra hand for dancing along stupidly to the radio.

Maybe because I'm a girl, but cars just don't interest me. To be honest, I can't say I was really looking forward to learning how to drive a stick because it sounded boring and too complicated. I mean, THREE pedals?!?! BUT I ONLY HAVE TWO FEET!!!!!

Dad drove me in the truck up to my empty high school parking lot. He first gave me the low-down about how the engine works, what the clutch is, when you shift gears, blah blah blah. I asked questions, tried to look as if I was interested, and reluctantly switched places into the driver's seat after he finished his lesson.

We both knew that it was going to be interesting, and I didn't disappoint.

I stalled. Again and again and again and again and again and again and... you get the point. I failed miserably at the timing of pushing on the gas pedal when the car began to "give." I was especially notorious for releasing the clutch too quickly. The car would tug, I would scream, dad would laugh, and we'd try once more.

It was frustrating. But, when I did make a smooth shift or an easy start-after-stop, I felt super proud (and of course boast with excitement only to be humiliated shortly thereafter when the car would quit once more).

I did realize that it is much easier to shift once you got going. My feet would begin to get used to the timing of when to push on or release the pedals, and slowly I improved.

Dad made me drive to a nearby ice cream shop to get some "main road" practice. I didn't think I was ready, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. I did, however, stall at a stop sign that was along the way and there unfortunately was a car behind me. Poor fellows, I kept stalling the car and they (I'm sure) were thinking, "What is this idiot doing?!" My dad eventually stuck his hand out the window and motioned for them to pass us by. I was so embarrassed and shouted out, "I'm sorry! I'm learning!" They didn't scream back any bad words or give me any fingers, which was good. They just waved, smiled, and probably drove off laughing at the fact that they witnessed a blonde teenager's epic stop-sign stick-shift failure.

Learning something new can be a challenge. In my case, I had to do more than just pay special attention to Dad's instructions-- I had to physically apply that knowledge when it was my turn to be behind the wheel.

He made it all sound so easy but I soon realized that it wasn't. Now, don't get me wrong, it did get easier as I kept practicing. But I still messed up and I still had lots of room for improvement at the end of the day.

When God teaches us new things, He often calls us to respond, or physically apply what we've learned. It could be by serving in our church, reaching out to the community, sharing the gospel with a lost friend, giving more generously with our offerings, or setting aside more time to study the Word.

In short, we learn by listening; we understand by doing. It's not always easy to respond to what all God teaches us. Doing so, we may feel awkward, afraid or embarrassed.

But God never intended for us to be "comfortable." As Christians, He calls us to step out in faith. Secondly, God doesn't want us to be scared of failure. After all, Romans says "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Finally, God asks that we not be shy about who He is. Consider this passage from Matthew 7:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"

My dad kept reminding me that driving a stick shift is something you naturally do after a while without even having to think. Likewise, when we get past certain "faith barriers," living as a witness for God's kingdom is like second-nature.  

Learn from God by listening carefully and responding obediently. 

-Rachel