7 Beautiful Ways We Can Reflect on God During a Commute
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It’s the start of another workday and you are back in the car again for your morning commute. You might live just five minutes from the office, or you could be an hour away. But have you ever thought through how you can be intentional with your “in between” minutes?
Psalm 119:97 says, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” The concept of all day long indicates wherever we are and whatever you are doing. We are called to think about the Bible and what Jesus has done for us.
Today we are going to discuss seven ways we can reflect on God during a commute.
1. God Is with You When Leaving the House
Joshua 1:9 - “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
When you exit your home and head on your way, take a moment as you buckle your seatbelt and pull out of the driveway to pray. Think about Joshua 1:9. Thank God that He is with you wherever you go. Remember that He is going before you this day and every day.
2. Cast Your Cares on God for the Day
1 Peter 5:7 - “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Share your fears and worries for the day with God in prayer. Relay the truth of who He is back to Him. Spend time on your drive voicing your concerns for what is coming up. Pour out your heart and your cares with the Lord who loves you. Ask Him for the strength to not only get through the day, but to thrive in it.
3. Traffic Light Check Points
Proverbs 14:29 - “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
Maybe you are running late and wanting to hit the gas through every yellow light along your route? Perhaps you are in no hurry, but are becoming distracted by the thoughts in your head. People can get on each other’s absolute nerves as they attempt to send a text or zip through lights at unprecedented rates. What if we treated traffic lights as places where we refocus?
When you see a traffic light, what emotions come to your heart? What if we utilized the visual of the lights as a springboard for the thought, “God where am I being quick tempered (or the other extreme: passive) in life?” As you sit at a standstill, you can ponder and pray through where it is that the Lord desires to work in your impatience or indifference. God gives us green lights in life circumstances to take action and move. He gives us yellow lights to yield and proceed with caution. He tells us to stop and wait often for His direction or timing. Ask God where He is acting in this within your own life when you are stopped at a light.
4. Confession in Sinful Moments
Proverbs 28:13 - “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Did you have a sinful thought about another driver? Are you processing a hard conversation that you had early on? Did you say or gesture something in an ungodly way to the driver in front of you? When this happens, immediately go to God in confession. Acknowledge your sin. Ask for forgiveness and for His healing power. Declare that sin has no hold on your in Jesus’ name. Bringing the sin to the light enables us to renounce (or surrender) it to Christ.
5. Stop Signs as Spiritual Reminders
Psalm 46:10 - “He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’”
We live in a culture that is fascinated with being on-the-go and having productivity 24/7. We like excess. Examples include more wealth, more food, and more titles. When you see stop signs, they can easily remind you of Psalm 46:10. We are called in Christ to be still and know that He is God. He is over the entire world and He is inviting us to slow ourselves in Him. Stopping can feel counter-productive, however it is a wonderful reset for your mind and body to make sure that we as drivers are focused and being watchful of others.
6. Shouts of Praise
Psalm 98:4 - “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.”
Have you ever seen that person who is straight up worshiping in their car? Maybe you have been this person? There is nothing stopping you from straight up celebrating and crying out to God. The car is a safe and private space to worship Him and call on His name. You can sing as loud as you desire with no judgment, listen and ponder in isolation, or reflect on the words to a worship song on the radio. This is a wonderful place to get your favorite genres of praise out and connect with the Lord.
7. Invitation upon Arrival
Deuteronomy 31:8 - “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
More often than not, I find myself hurrying off to the next thing when I arrive at a new place. I do not take a moment to breathe or think through where I am about to be or what I am going to participate in. I invite you as a child of God to invite the Holy Spirit to move ahead of you upon arrival. Ask Him to walk with you and work in and through you in this place where He has led you today. Whether you love or hate your destination, pray for the Lord to lead you there. Pray that He would open your eyes to what He is doing in your midst so you do not miss it.
These are just seven ways we can reflect on God during a commute. If you have any other creative ideas on pondering the Lord during your drive, please share with others. Nothing is wasted with Christ.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Alexander W Helin
