I've either attended or watched races involving everything from snowmobiles to bicycles, tractors to trucks and of course cars and motorcycles. There is one common thread through all of those who race whatever it is they race. No turn signals. None. Brake lights sometimes. But no turn signals. They have rear view mirrors but no turn signals. The fact that the signals are missing is very important. The turn signals would be worthless and a distraction to the driver. They don't want people to know their next move. It's strategy, planning and stealth all in one. I cannot imagine anyone racing in the Indy 500 using turn signals. The picture that comes to mind is quite funny! Imagine the person you are following signaling a left turn. On an oval track they are ALL left turns! What's the point? The point is that sometimes in the race of life turn signals are what takes us off course rather than enabling us to run the race and seize the victors prize.
My young driving days were spent driving equipment and vehicles on a large farm in the Midwest. Tractors did not have turn signals. What we needed to do when in the proximity of other equipment was pause to look around and see if it was safe to turn. Being aware of your environment was essential to safety and getting the work done. Trucks and cars on the other hand did have turn signals. You're driving on a 10 mile stretch of gravel road and there is no one on the road at all. Use of turn signals? Optional at best. Go into the local town (12 miles away) use the signals. Driving in the fields to get to other equipment translates into don't bother with the signals. Proximity of equipment and people are important and we need to be aware of those around us. No one wants to injure others in accidents. That does sometimes happen but it's not the way most of us want it to be.
When I was a police officer the rules of driving changed drastically. Most of the time my driving was in line with Joe Citizen and the law of the land. When I was going to an emergency the rules were modified. The lights and sirens trumped the turn signals. When in a pursuit of another vehicle the unknown factor was where the bad guy/gal were going. Turn signals became a mute point and you went with the pursuit. However, I did not ever give a ticket to anyone for using their turn signals. Nor did I give anyone tickets for obeying the laws of the land. There was an expectation that people would do what was right until proven differently.
All of these situations, circumstances and examples are necessary to understand how life is for the Christian. We are in the world but not of the world. Our responsibility is to obey the Lord in all ways. How can we accomplish this if we are preoccupied with what's behind us? Do we really have the forward focus that takes us through the race and to the prize? Many do not run the race at all. They sit content in their lives not looking forward or to either side. All of their life is based on the picture in the rear view mirror. They are distracted by the past. There are those who seem to engage life but are so cautious that every movement to the left or the right keeps them from going straight. Turn signals turned on are meant to warn others that they are turning somewhere that only they know of. Whether it be the pressure to turn here or there, the witness of their lives isn't on what lies ahead but rather what needs to be avoided. Then we have those who seem to focus straight forward and look longingly to the end of the race. They are "so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good" in their living life here on earth. Somewhere in our lives there needs to be our life in Christ.
For the Christian there should be no need of brake lights, mirrors or turn signals. Our movement directed by the Holy Spirit should be so focused that those things simply are distractions to be avoided. Putting the hand to the plow and not looking back is how the Bible puts it. Anyone who looks back cannot be looking forward. We are called to set the pace and not just go along with the flow of traffic. We are expected to do what He wants when He wants and how He wants. That requires we have the pursuit driving mentality. If we follow Jesus so closely that we are consumed by the path taken; there is no need for distractions. We all are race driven. Some more than others and some less than they should be. There are times I run out of gas and I'm sure you do so as well. That's what pit stops (maybe church attendance or home groups) are for. We all need to have that time where we recharge. BUT do not exit the race!!! You don't need to use your turn signals so get rid of them. You don't need a rear view mirror so get rid of them. You don't need side windows to watch everyone else so get rid of them. Focus on Jesus. Run the race. Seize the prize.
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