It has been a crazy week, Father, far from the norm! I give praise to You that I have come to the end of it relatively unscathed. But I also pray for those who are yet going through much more fearsome valleys than mine. Be with and touch them as only You can, Father. Amen.
John 15:9-11 (<<click here to read the passage)
During the busy autumn and spring sports seasons at our school, speed bumps are strategically placed in a couple of spots near our main sports fields. I would think that they accomplish what they are put in place to do, to slow traffic down through the center part of our campus. They are not on any of the roadways in the area but along the drive that links our three schools together.
Now one thing I will tell you, pretty much all of the bus drivers slow down as we come up to them. Being the type of vehicle it is school buses have shocks and leaf springs but, go too fast and you’d definitely feel those speed bumps! Another truth is that there are vehicles out there that you’d hardly notice going over them. The suspension is engineered so as not to feel all those bumps and potholes in the road. Karen’s mini-van rides a lot smoother than my little pick-up does. That’s the way they are built.
Give today’s passage a read.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” NLT

When was the last time you went a whole week without a few speed bumps in the road of life? Most of us probably can’t even recall that last day that we didn’t have at least one!
Many days are we just cruising right along when right in the middle of the road pops up a huge speedbump! Out of the blue and there it is! And the standard equipment with which we are born does not include a very good suspension system. Our head hits the roof, and our rear end bottoms out where when we hit rock bottom.
That is far too often the case…but do you realize that when we allow Jesus to “take the wheel” if you please, that that package of fellowship includes a top-of-the-line suspension upgrade? It’s true! When we are in a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ, joy is included – and at no extra charge, I might add!
The ups and downs of life – speedbumps included! – are all too common. When things are going well, we feel elated. When hardships come, we sink into depression. But true joy transcends the rolling waves of circumstance… When our lives are intertwined with his, he will help us walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving into deceptive highs.*
Our way will not be perfect by any means but when we allow Jesus to take the wheel, we will be filled with [His] joy. Yes, our joy will overflow! Lord Jesus, may it be so! Amen!

*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation

Sept 23rd, 2021, Thurs, 7:24 pm